Notes:

PAGE ONE: 1812 Aug 6

. 1812 Dec 30 - An address presented to the Presbytery of Onondaga at Homer, by Joshua Leonard, Subject Baptism & Presbyterian Church membership. Printed in the Cortland Repository, Homer Village NY, by John W Osborn, 1812. p12.
Note1: This indicates JW Osborn was upon leaving York he was immediate involved in publishing. - PJA

. 1814 Nov 16, Buffalo NY, LOST, on the 6th inst. in the village of Buffalo, an old black leather Pocket Book containing a promissory note, made by Celeb Rogers, payable to the subscriber or order, for $850, in four see-annual installments, on the first days of May & Oct. with an endorsement thereon of $218.375 cents - also between $8 & $9 in bank notes together with sundry other papers of no consequence except to the owner.
Whoever will return said pocket book & the papers to the subscriber, near Williamsville, may retain the money it contained & will be entitled to the thanks of the subscriber & no questions asked. Dated Wmsville, Nov 23, 1814, Signed, John Osborn.
Ref: Buffalo Gazette, NY.

* 1815 Jul 26 - Information Requested. The Subscriber having been informed that his Step-father, Mr. John Vanzantte, has moved from York, Upper Canada, into the United States, feels anxious to ascertain the place of his residence. Any person having information of the same, will do an act of kindness by communicating it by letter to:
John W. Osborn, Printer, Homer Village, Cortland County, N.Y.
*** Printers in this state are respectfully solicited to give above an intention in their respective papers.
Ref: Geneva Gazette, New York Jul 26 & * Patrol, Utica, NY, pub. Wed. Jul 31, 1815.

. 1815 Oct 1 - Letters Remaining in the Post Office at Buffalo, John W Osborn. - Letters called for by the first day of January next, will be sent to the General Post Office.
Ref: Niagara Journal, Buffalo, New York, published 1815 Oct 17.

. 1840 Census Warren, Putnam co., Indiana, John Osborn
persons Employed in Manufacture & Trade: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:3
Total Free White Persons: 9
. 1862 Oct 29, Tax Annual Lists, district 7, Indiana, Hamilton Co., Retail dealer, Tax due $10.00.

. 1840 Oct 30, Fri. - West half of NW quarter of Section 18, 17 Twp., N of range 5 east, containing 80 A in Marion Co. Also Lot 6 in out block 39. Also lots 3, 4 & 5 in out block number 2 in John Wood's adjoining to the town of Indianapolis, mortgaged by John W. Osborn. Debt damages & costs $516.05
Ref: Indiana Democrat, Indianapolis & also published 12.19.1840 & 1.9.1841.

. 1840 Dec 12 - Mr. Switger of Marion offered for adoption the following & resolution: Whereas by virtue of a joint resolution of the General Assembly, approved 4 Feb, 1837 John W Osborn & Elijah Chamberlain were on 6 Jan 1838 duly elected public printers of this house for the tern of 3 years. Whereas Osborn & Chambers executed their bond for the due performance of the public printing, they were ejected 14 Dec 1839 form being public printers to this House, in violation of the rights & contract of said of said Osborn & Chamberlain, John Livingston was elected in their stead. Therefore resolved that a John W Osborn & Elijah Chamberlain are the rightful public printers to this house until 1 August next.
Ref: Indiana Democrat, Indianapolis.

. 1866 May 2 - The Greencastle Banner says:
John W Osborn, the old pioneer printer & publisher of Indiana, is now a resident of Greencastle. His 'sands of life,' however, have nearly run out. Quite feeble in body & mind, perhaps before another issue of this sheet, he will be transferred hence. As a public journalist, he occupied no inferior position among the leading editors of 25 or 30 years age. He was at one time State printer in connection with Mr. Willetts, a Quaker, still residing at Indianapolis. He was also editor & publisher of one or two papers at this point - one called the Plow Boy, & the other, if we mistake not, dominated the Tenpence Advocate. He is known to some of our older citizens of the county as a zealous advocate of whatever cause he espoused. We feel kindly towards our older brother in the craft, & trust that when is called hence it will be to enjoy the reward of a life well spend. He is residing now with his son-in-law, Judge Claypool, who has recently become a citizen of this place, & is we believe, in the 73 year of his age.
Ref: Worthington Gazette, Indiana.

. Obituary - 1866 Nov 15, Thurs. -
Death of an Old Printer. John Willson Osborn, Esq., since 1820 connected with the press of this State at Vincennes, Terre Haute, Indianapolis & in this town, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Judge Sol. Claypool, at Greencastle, on Monday morning last. Mr. Osborn was born in Nova Scotia, of Irish parents, about the year 1793 & was about 73 years of age at the time of his death. He moved with his parents to the vicinity of Toronto, Canada, where he continued to reside until he attained to the age of manhood. He learned the printing business in the town of Niagara, Canada, & soon after moved to the state of New York. From the State, he came with Lucien R Scott, formerly of Terre Haute, to Indiana & was connected with the press at Vincennes until 1823 when he moved to Terre Haute, where, opposite Grover's Foundry on Fifth street, he established the first paper ever published in that now important city. He continued to publish his paper for 9 years, under the difficulties incident to such business in a small village, a new country, & a sparse population. In 1832 he sold his establishment to Thos. Dowling, Esq.
Mr. Osborn was a man of intelligence & respectable talents & distinguished for the warmth of his feelings & the impulsive of his character. Judge Gookins, his son-in-law, learned the art of printing in his office as did his brother Chas. W Cutter, Esq., now of Iowa.
Ref: Sullivan Democrat Newspaper, Indiana.

Biogragphy1: John W Osborne.
Indiana was stiffening up on the slavery question. Even Vincennes was invaded by the anti-slavery element. In 1817 a number of Canadians who had served in the American army came to the state to claim the bounty lands which Congress had appropriated for them in Indiana. Among them was Major Markle, who located near Terre Haute, & built a celebrated old mill, & John Willson Osborn, who went to Vincennes. Osborn was a grandson of Col. John Willson, a British officer, stationed in New York, who went to Canada at the outbreak of the Revolution.
His father was Capt. Samuel Osborne of the British Navy. Although his people were wealthy, young Osborn learned the printing trade in the office of the Upper Canadian Guardian a Freeman's Journal, [1807-14, considered an opposing newspaper,] which was conducted by Joseph Willcocks, Member of Parliament from the Niagara district, who was decidedly pro-American in his views, & who was killed in the American service, near Fort Erie. In this employment Osborn took on American ideas, & at the beginning of the War of 1812, went across Lake Erie & joined Capt. Mahar's company of Irish Greens, * for which he was disinherited by his grandfather. [under Lt. Col. Francis/ Geo.? McClure, NY Militia]

This did not worry Osborn, who, when he got through soldiering, went into the newspaper business at Homer, N. Y., for a time, & then started the Cortland Republican newspaper at Cortlandville. While here he married Ruby Bishop. He arrived in Vincennes in June 1817, & at once found employment in the office of the Western Sun, & a few weeks later became a partner, & editor of the paper. This lasted him a few months as Osborne had very pronounced anti-slavery views, which did not hinge with those of Elisha Stout, the proprietor of the paper; & so they "dissolved" & Osborn went to farming.

In 1819 Osborn was joined at Vincennes by his brother-in-law, Amory Kinney, a native of Vermont, who had read law at Cortlandville, in the office of Samuel Nelson, later a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Both Osborn & Kinney were satisfied that the slavery existing in Indiana was illegal, & they united to make a test case with two lawyers. Col. George McDonald, of New Jersey, the preceptor & father-in-law of Judge Isaac Blackford, who entered the practice at Vincennes in 1819; & Moses Tabbs, a son-in-law of Charles Carroll of Carrolton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, who was admitted to the bar at Vincennes in 1818. The test was made by an action of habeas corpus on behalf of a mulatto woman named Polly, held as a slave by Col. Hyacinthe Lasselle, the principal tavern keeper of Vincennes. Lasselle was one of the old families of the French in Indiana. ... The case presented the question of the old French slavery, Polly being the daughter of a negro woman who had been captured by the Indians in the Revolutionary period. The Circuit Court held her to be a slave, but the Supreme Court held that the people of Indiana had the power to abolish slavery, without regard to the Virginia Deed of Cession, & that "the framers of our constitution intended a total & entire prohibition of slavery in this state." This decision was made in July, 1820, & it created some resentment among the slave-holders, who threatened vengeance on Osborn & Kinney, but those gentlemen manifested a readiness to meet any one hunting for trouble, & no casualties resulted.
Ref: Indiana and Indianans, A History of Aboriginal & Territorial Indiana & the Century of Statehood, by Jacob Piatt Dunn. Chicago 1919.

Note2: * Among Catholic residents of Albany who had reached a degree of prosperity & prominence was a wholesale grocer, James Maher. Maher organized the Republican Rifle Company, or Irish Greens [Republican Green Rifles]. He was captain & fellow parishioner John Cassidy was lieutenant. In 1813, Maher's company took part in the Battle of Sackets Harbor & led his troops in the capture of Little York, (now Toronto) Canada, Ontario. Feb. 5 1813 the Maher Company had a Camp in Buffalo, otherwise regular station was in Albany. The flag taken at Fort George Upper Canada, May 27, 1813 was taken by a summer, Daniel Campbell, in Captain Maher's Albany volunteers.
Ref: Albany Argus Newspaper, published 1813 Jul 2, Friday.

. 1813 Jan 5, Albany - Captain Maher's company of Albany, now at Buffalo as - part of Col. McClure’s Regiment, are volunteers for one year. They received from me 2 months pay & $16 each on account of clothing in September when they entered service. Capt. Maher, who is now here, requests that they may receive the bal­ance of the allowance for clothing immediately. …They must be equipped with uniform & a blanket at all events. A Musket and knapsack can be supplied with those also. 1812 Sep 29, Albany Greens, which are to are to follow the NY Greens to Onondaga, in a few days., Gen’l Dearborn.
Ref: Public Papers of Daniel D Tompkins, Governor of NY, 1807-1817. - . -

PAGE TWO: Biography2
. JOHN W. OSBORN,
Editor, printer and proprietor of the "Western Register and Terre Haute General Advertiser," was a man who, in my estimation, carried in his head all the knowledge of the world. He was quiet in manner & kind in speech, never passing any one in the street without a pleasant word. He was particularly opposed to horse-racing (then a custom universally indulged in) from a moral point of view, & was very sensitive in regard to razor strops, but I never understood why. To me there were two points of interest in the "Western Register"; one was that the news was always "two weeks later from Europe."

. JOHN W. OSBORN (Picture of a middle age gentleman, dark, short hair). A biographical sketch written by the late S.B. GOOKINS of the pioneer editor of the Wabash Valley. The editor & proprietor of the first newspaper published in the town of Terre Haute, Indiana, was born at St. Johns, New Brunswick, February 7, 1794.
He was the second son of Capt. Samuel OSBORN, a gallant & accomplished officer in the British navy. His grandfather & eldest brother, Capt. William OSBORN, were also both officers in the service of his majesty the King of England.

* Also his maternal grandfather, for whom he was named, held a captain's commission & was an intimate friend of Gen. BROCK, acted as commissary general, etc., & filled many places of trust. *See Note 1.
William OSBORN, the eldest son of Capt. Samuel OSBORN Jr., was promoted to a captaincy very young for bravery during several sharp engagements at sea. Thus by the divine right of inheritance & early associations Mr. John W. OSBORN was fitted for the struggles & difficulties of pioneer life which need a brave heart, untiring devotion, progressive & aggressive, to the principles of right.

* Mr. OSBORN's mother was Alice WILSON, the daughter of John WILSON & Rebecca THIXTON, his wife. She was born on Staten Island. She was educated in New York, where the family lived always a part of each year, her father being an officer in the British army, loyal to his king. They left the United States & made a new home in Canada, living sometimes at Halifax, Quebec, Montreal, Canancoqua [ now Kingston], & finally settling down at Toronto, buying land & laying, as they supposed, a permanent foundation for a home. * See Note2.

. 1807 Oct 10, Sat. - York Gazette, Wanted: An apprentice to the printing business. His connection must be respectable & his morals uncorrupted. Application to be made to the printers of the York Gazette.
Note5: The reference here is to the qualifications needed to be involved in the newspaper business. - PJ Ahlberg 2013.

Col. WILSON sent to Scotland & brought out a hundred families & settled them upon his lands in Canada, & believing in the magic power of the press to enlighten & civilize, he sent to England & had a printing press, type & men to do the work sent out to the almost wilderness. Col. Joseph WILLCOX, who was a member of the provincial parliament, an ardent politician, an educated Irish gentleman and a republican, was associated with Mr. OSBORN in publishing the "Upper Canada Guardian & Freeman's Journal." Mr. OSBORN late in life spoke of Col. Willcox as one whose name he loved, & referring to his association with him, said: "I then & there drank in the principles of free government which have remained with me until this hour & which changed the whole course of my life."

Mr. OSBORN's devotion to republican institutions & his belief in the justness of the American cause led him, on the breaking out of the war of 1812, to espouse, with all the fire & energy of his nature, the side of free government. On August 14, 1812 he left the country, home, kindred & friends, & crossed Lake Ontario from Toronto to the United States, when he joined the American army, at which action of his he alienated & grieved his relatives, especially his grandfather, who disowned & disinherited him.
* * Notes4: 1818 Aug 21st, at Ft. George, Niagara-on-the-Lake, where John W Osborn was on duty at this time, it was announced the Maj Gen. Sheaffer has a very great satisfaction in announcing to the troops, the surrender of Fort Detroit Gen. Isaac Brock at the head of 700 soldier, volunteer Militia with 600 Indians captured the Fort. Ref: Issac Brock papers, p132.

. 1812 Sept 29, Tues. On Sunday last, arrived from NY, on board the sloop Euphemia, part of a Volunteer detachment from the Republican Greens of that City, under the command of Lieut. Col. McClaurte. Yesterday they disembarked & marched up to the barracks in Lion Street, escorted by The REPUBLICAN GREENS, of this place, commanded by Captain Maher.
Ref: Albany Register Newspaper, NY.

Mr. OSBORN did not anticipate giving up his love & interest in Canada, but was sanguine in his belief that Canada would become a part of the United States, would be annexed, when he intended to return there. He was induced, through the representation of Mr. Denny, a book publisher, of Albany, to go to Homer, Cortland county, New York, where he took charge of & edited the Cortland "Republican," a paper still published there. He, however, soon removed his office to Cortlandville, the county seat, for a time. His paper was ardently devoted to the United States government. He continued the publication until 1816.

In that year Indiana was admitted to the Union as a sovereign state, & the spirit of adventure, at that time rife in the land, led him, with many others, to the inviting fields of the then Far West. In 1817 he came to Vincennes, & soon afterward secured the office of the "Western Sun," the first newspaper published in Indiana. At that time the slavery question was much discussed. The ordinance of 1787, excluding slavery from the territory northwest of the Ohio river, was almost universally disregarded. Slaves were held in Vincennes & other places, & were bought & sold. Indiana had just been admitted to the Union, & having by a clause in her constitution prohibited slavery, the holders of slaves became uneasy, & as a consequence as scheme was adopted for making what profit they could out of the stock on hand, which was to be carried out by running the negroes off to the slave states & selling them. Adventurers were found who were willing to go into the business of kidnapping for a profit. This was winked at by many of the most popular & influential men, & for anyone to espouse the cause of the slave was to subject himself to the odium, not to say contemptuous persecution, of a majority of the people in that region. But the proscribed race were not without friends, & one of the most active of these was Mr. OSBORN. Having suffered immeasurably from separation from home, kindred & friends on account of his devotion to the principles of freedom, he did not propose to accept a mere sham & pretense for the precious boon he sought at so great a sacrifice. He not only protested, but defended, the negro, & pursued the kidnapper & rescued his victims. He, cooperating with others like minded, carried the question to the supreme court & obtained a decision which set at rest forever the question of slavery in Indiana.

In 1828 Mr. OSBORN came to Terre Haute & established the "Western Register." The first number was printed July 21, & created quite a sensation. A newspaper really & truly printed in the wilderness! Men, women & children came from all the country around to see the great wonder, especially on publication days. The "Western Register's" motto was "No dupe to party tool of power, nor slave to minions of an hour." The paper was conducted upon all questions of home & foreign government & the development of our rich & lovely valley of the Wabash. Mr. OSBORN was contemporary with Robert Owen, Rapp, Flower & many others of less note, would-be reformers, but all his teachings had the true ring of patriotism & Christianity. During the summer of 1828 Mr. OSBORN made one of his characteristic exploring trips on horseback up the Wabash river, intending to visit Fort Dearborn, now Chicago. Early one lovely morning he arrived at the Tippecanoe battle-ground, where he discovered that after the soldiers had left the field the Indians had returned & dug up the remains of the brave heroes & stripped, scalped & tomahawked them & left them to be devoured by wild beasts, & the bones had lain bleaching in the sun & storms for 12 years. When Mr. OSBORN returned to Terre Haute he had an interview with Capt. Nathaniel Huntington, & induced him to proceed with his company of cavalry, the Wabash Greens, to Tippecanoe. The remains of the brave men were carefully collected by them & reinterred with military honors. Mr. OSBORN was ever ready to render honor to the generous, noble & brave, & quick scorn & flashing indignation for the mercenary & selfish.

One summer day in the year 1828 he was passing by the court-house square, & laying partly concealed by some hazel bushes, he saw a man senseless, apparently dead. The man was only drunk! Mr. OSBORN had known him in Toronto a prominent merchant, an honored man. He covered the poor wretch's face to protect it from sun, insects & the derision of passers-by. From that hour he was an uncompromising temperance man. His heart swelled with indignation toward the man who for a few cents would see a fellow man degraded & wallowing in the dust, & from this incident probably the first temperance movement in the country originated. Education, free education, was another subject of intense interest to him. During the year 1829 his health gave way, caused by his untiring exertions, & he retired from the editorial chair & went upon his farm, five miles south of the city, from which he received great benefit.
In 1834 his old feeling in regard to the power & importance of the "press" returned & feeling that there was great value in the knowledge & talents that he possessed, he looked about him for a field of action & decided up Greencastle, Putnam county, considering it a healthy, desirable region of country. He purchased a printing office & sent out his paper, the "Ploughboy," broadcast, & inclosed (sic) in it a small temperance paper which he published in pamphlet form, of eight pages, & sent to his subscribers gratuitously, called the "Temperance Advocate," the first temperance paper ever published in the west. Temperance in those days was as unpopular as warning against slavery, & required unbounded moral courage & a trace of "fighting blood," both of which he inherited in good measure from a brave & chivalrous ancestry. This paper was devoted to the interests of agriculture, education & temperance, in the promotion of all which he was a zealous & efficient laborer. In Greencastle he was surrounded by congenial associates, Dr. Alex Stephenson, Dr. Taravin & Judge Cowhill, Rees, Hardesty & others. To Mr. Osborn's exertions were due in a great measure the establishment at Greencastle of the Indiana Asbury University, the leading educational institution of the state of the Methodist denomination, of which he was a conscientious, active member. He was one of the first trustees of Asbury University. In 1838 he removed his establishment to Indianapolis, changed the name to "Indiana Farmer and Stock Register," was elected state printer, also continued the publication of his temperance paper. At the close of his term of office he retired from the press on account of ill health, but was a contributor to various local journals during most of his life. When the war of the rebellion broke out, too old to take the field & too zealous a supporter of the government to permit of his remaining idle, he went to Sullivan county, & published a war campaign paper under the title of the "Stars and Stripes," where he rendered invaluable service to the Union cause. This was his last venture in journalism. (Which he conducted at Sullivan during the war, was pronounced in its Union sentiment & strong in its support).
His health continued to decline until his death, which occurred in Greencastle on November 12, 1866. His latest hours were marked by painful disease, patient resignation & Christian faith.
Ref: HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley, by H.W. Beckwith - 1880, Terre Haute - pp. 169-175.

Note3: Maternal grandfather is John Willson, Sr., born NJ. The war referred is slightly confused. During the Revolutionary War, Capt. John Willson was in the Quartermaster Commissary General's Office for the NJ Volunteers & he was a friend of Lieut. Gov., John Graves Simcoe, of Upper Canada, that is, Toronto, Ontario. John Willson brought a 100 people with him from New Brunswick in the journey known as 'MAY FLEETs' arrival at York' - In a twist of fate, this time during the War of 1812, Capt. J Willson of the York Militia, was captured & later released when American forces captured Ft. York (Toronto.)

Note4: Canacoqua is the original native name for Kingston, Ontario. Canacoqua or Kateracoui. Cataraqui is the French pronunciation. It was also named Fort Frontenac. It is very interesting that this story taken in 1880 from verbal family history, is bares out in proven facts. Reference to John Willson, U.E. and 'May Fleet to York, Upper Canada. 1793' - P J Ahlberg, 2011.

. In 1823 he went to Terre Haute & began publication of the Western Register and Terre Haute Advertiser. This he sold in 1832 to become a candidate for sheriff but was defeated. In 1833-34 he was publisher of The Plowboy in Greencastle, Indiana.

. In 1823, Mr. Osborn loaded his press into a wagon, & set out for Terre Haute. The dangers of the journey from high water were not insurmountable, but when an ignorant driver lost his way, the case was different. And so in attempting to cross a stream in a wrong place, the wagon was overturned, & its precious burden landed in the water.
About 1830-2 Osborn after spending some time on his farm, again undertook the role of a publisher, by establishing the Ploughboy at Greencastle. In 1838 he removed with his paper to Indianapolis, changing the name to the Indiana Farmer and Stock Register. While there he was elected to the position of State printer. When the war of the rebellion broke out he moved to the town of Sullivan,
& established a paper which he named The Stars and Stripes.
Ref: The history of early Terre Haute from 1816 to 1840. - . -

. Biography3 - Newspapers & John Willson Osborn:
Upper Canadian Guardian and Freeman's Journal,
1817 Jun - Western Sun, Vincennes
1822 Dec 14 - Farmers & Mechanics Journal, published by J W Osborn
1825 May 7 - The Advertiser
1826 Mar 7 - Indianapolis Gazette, Vol. III
1834 - Temperance Advocate, Greencastle
1834 - Western Plough Boy, Greencastle Visitor.

. 1819 June 25, Vincennes - Dissolution. The Copartnership heretofore existing between William A Crowell & John W Osborn was dissolved by mutual consent on the 20th instant. Wm. A Crowell, J W Osborn.
- N.B. All those who are indebted to the said firm are requested to make immediate payment, & those who have demands against it will please present them for settlement. WAC, JWO., VINCENNES, JUNE 25, 1918.
Ref: Indiana Sentinel Newspaper, published 1818 Jul 3 .

. Greencastle acquired a reputation for temperance.

. Early Settlement & History:
The "Western Register and Terre Haute Advertiser" was the first paper printed in Terre Haute. The paper was "printed & published every Saturday, in Terre Haute, Vigo county, Indiana, by JOHN W. OSBORN, at $2. per annum." The terms of advertising are given, & then follows this statement: "Letters on business addressed to the editor must be post-paid." It must be borne in mind that letter postage in that day was no trifle - ranging as high as 25¢ a single letter, one-eighth of the annual subscription of the paper.
The first number was issued July 21, 1823, & was a four-column paper, about 12 by 14 inches in size. After the first ten numbers had been issued a larger size paper was obtained, making the sheet about four inches longer. The first edition consisted of about two hundred copies; many were sent to parties who never paid. Mr. Osborn felt that the education of the masses was of vital moment & fully believed in the civilizing & enlightening influence of the newspaper, & the fact that a subscriber could not pay did not prevent his receiving the paper. For this reason the paper did not prove, in any eminent degree, a pecuniary success. Great difficulty was experienced in obtaining suitable printing paper. The supply must usually be obtained from Louisville, & the quantity ordered sometimes did not make its appearance for weeks together; bad roads & low water were the obstacles to be overcome in transportation. At such times various expedients were resorted to in order to continue the regular issue; sometimes a half sheet was sent out. Then again the stores & shops were ransacked for ordinary wrapping paper, & sometimes no paper could be issued at all. The difficulties attending the obtaining, transporting & setting up the press were such as would have discouraged a less determined man than Mr. Osborn & have effectually defeated the enterprise. The wagon in which the "office" & paper for first issue were transported from Vincennes to Terre Haute was overturned in attempting to ford one of the many streams to be crossed, & the entire establishment buried under the waters. These streams were very much swollen at the time by the abundant rain-fall, & in attempting to cross the driver had mistaken his way. The material was finally recovered after great effort. These were the "circumstances beyond the control of the editor" that delayed the first issue, as explained in the editorial of that number.
The first number contained an account of the celebration held on the Fourth of July of that year. The oration was delivered by Thos. H. Blake. Among the communications, we notice that "Mr. Reed, a Presbyterian minister, will preach at the court-house on the 24th inst." Its foreign news summary contains the declaration of war between France & Spain; also certain military movements of French & Spanish troops, and captures of Spanish vessels. Sheriff Clark advertises sales of land, & James LOVE advertises "a regular line of keel-boats, to ply between Terre Haute & Shawneetown; freight taken on the most accommodating terms." John M. COLMAN advertises a list of letters, -perhaps a half dozen- remaining in the post-office at Terre Haute, Ezekiel BENJAMIN in charge. Dr. Modesitt's ferry is "ready to accommodate all who may favor him with their patronage."
We find that Nathaniel Huntington "is a candidate to represent the counties of Vigo & Parke in the next general assembly."

The political questions of the day are discussed, & party feeling runs very bitter. The question whether slaves should be held in Indiana was agitating the minds of men. Mr. OSBORN was of course on the negative side, & many of the early difficulties he encountered in getting out his paper were believed to grow out of this fact; the upsetting of his material before mentioned was thought to be done designedly as an expedient to defeat his plans. At the celebration on the Fourth spoken of, the following toast was offered by a volunteer: "The unlawful wheels of the machinery of our last legislature for a new convention, to bring slavery into our state; may every band & spoke be broken at our next election."
In the second number appears a new advertisement of John F. Cruft. The number of the "ads." was seventeen, including four legal ones by Sheriff Clark. In the eleventh number appears this motto, which becomes henceforth the motto of the paper:

No "dupe to party, tool of power," Nor "slave to minions of an hour."
Under the date of October 22, 1823, we find this notice; "The Wabash Greens will meet at the house of Capt. N. HUNTINGTON, November 1, thence to proceed in martial order to the battle-ground of Tippecanoe, & collect the bones of the American heroes who fell in that engagement, in as decent a manner as possible inter them, & erect some temporary preservation around their grave.
Signed, Elisha M. Huntington- Company Judge Advocate."

. On August 14 he left Upper Canada & crossed Lake Ontario & dined there American army, at which action of his he alienated & grieved his relatives, especially his grandfather, who disowned & disinherited him. Mr. Osborn did not anticipate giving up his love & interest in Canada, but was sanguine in his belief that Canada would become a part of the US, would be annexed, when he intended to return there. He was induced, through the representations of Mr. Denny, an Albany book publisher, to go to Homer, Courtland Co., where he took charge of & edited the Cortland Republican. He soon removed his office to Cortlandville, the county seat for a time. until 1816. In 1817 he came to Vincenne.

The paper was ably conducted by Mr. Osborn, & its issues were filled with interesting matter, much attention being given to foreign news. The "Niles Register" was largely quoted from. In politics Mr. Osborn was a whig, & while he was not an abolitionist, was anti-slavery in his sentiments. He was also a strong advocate of temperance. On these subjects he was an able & original thinker. His kindness of heart was proverbial; he could not bear to wound another's feelings, nor would he allow his paper to become a vehicle for gossip. He was also a man of great personal courage, & while he always sought "the things that made for peace," he never permitted his desire to avoid strife to stand in the way of a bold a free avowal of his sentiments, or to prevent his always standing by his actions. Judge Kinney, a strong personal friend of Mr. Osborn's, at one time, while living in Vincennes, instituted several suits against certain parties for kidnapping blacks. In consequence of this, he (Kinney,) was assaulted & badly wounded. The threat was also freely made that Osborn would be served in the same way. This was reported to Osborn, who at that time lived on a farm a short distance from Vincennes. He at once rode into town, arriving at near the dinner hour, & stopping at the g, threw his bridle rein to a hostler & ascended the steps of the portico where several persons were sitting, among them some of those who had threatened him. He remained until about 4 o'clock, when he mounted his horse & rode home. Mr. Osborn was well armed. His cool, firm bearing caused those who hated him for his principles, & had proposed to attack him, to desist from their purpose. His great kindness to others was made manifest in many ways. On one occasion, some persons who had come on horseback to get their papers were too drunk to return safely home. Mr. OSBORN cared for them during the night, & after having given them a good breakfast, sent them home sober. His influence over others has often been testified to by those who have experienced it.
Mr. Osborn, was very much interested in everything pertaining to the advancement of educational interests, & spent both time & money in labors of that kind. He was undoubtedly the prime mover in the efforts made that finally resulted in the establishment of Asbury University, at Greencastle.
Among other advertisements is one for the sale of an ox mill, i.e. a pair of stones for grinding, run by ox power.
The last number, issued in 1823, contains the message of President Monroe to the eighteenth congress. Let those who are disposed to grumble at a delay of one or two hours at the present day read this, under date of January 24, 1824. After speaking of the non-arrival of the mail (once in 2 weeks), the editor says: "Another disappointment, still more unpleasant, has occurred, which is also to be attributed to the present freshet; it precludes the possibility of our receiving the expected supply of paper from Louisville, & it renders it out of our power to issue more than a half sheet weekly until the roads become passable for wagons & our supply arrives."
From March 25 to May 19, 1824, the paper was printed on a quarter sheet, about 10 by 14 inches in size.
Ref: History of Terre Haute, Vigo Co., IN. 1880. - - -

Birth:
By all means, incorrect, his parents arrive in 1793 in Upper Canada.

Died:
Died at daughter Hannah Willson Claypool's residence.

Buried:
Greencastle, IN.

John married Ruby Webb BISHOP on 31 Mar 1814 in Homer, Cortland Co., New York. Ruby was born on 8 Apr 1796 in Homer, Cortland Co., New York; died on 15 Apr 1880 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana; was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary Caroline OSBORN was born on 2 Nov 1815 in Homer, Cortland Co., New York; died on 26 Aug 1889 in Columbus, Muscogee Co., Georgia; was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
2. Bishop Webb OSBORN was born in 1822 in Terre Haute, Lost Creek Twp., Vigo Co., Indiana; died on 9 Apr 1891 in Greencastle, Putnam Co., Indiana; was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.
3. Hannah Moore OSBORN was born in 1833 in Terre Haute, Lost Creek Twp., Vigo Co., Indiana; died on 19 Mar 1917 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana; was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.
4. Ruby Alice OSBORN was born on 5 Feb 1838 in Washington Twp., Putnam Co., Indiana; died on 6 Nov 1907 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana; was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Notes:

. 1785 New Brunswick Land Petitions
Samuel Osborn, with Wm. Crawford, Petition for Land, Kings Co., NB., Canada.
Lot 14, Kingston Creek & The Belleisle.
. 1786 Sep 26 New Brunswick Land Grant.
Samuel Osborn, Granted 190 Acres, Belleisle Bay, New Brunswick, Canada
Ref: Grant #80, Volume A, Page 40.

. Belleilse Bay, the bay is mostly fresh water & the winter months the bay freezes., Situated at the head St. John River & the Bay of Fundy on the Atlantic Ocean it has a limited saltwater tidal cross pull causing Reversing Falls at Saint John. Kinston parish is located near Saint John City.

. Upper Canada Land Petition 35 (summary:)
To Peter Russel, Esq., Government of Upper Canada,
Petitioner has a wife & 6 children & resided for some time on Lot 28, East side of Yonge,
. he moved because of sickness;
. last August he returned. Being engaged on board a vessel, he prays to be given more time to finish his settlement duties, until the 1st January next.
Signed, York, 19 Nov. 1798, Saml. Osborn
Envelope: Lot thrown open, given until Jany 1, 1799.

. UCLPetition 11, The York Report - To Gov. John Graves Simcoe, summary report of settlers on Yonge Street:
. Sam Osborne for Lot No. 19 near Division of Block No. 5, built & Recommended.
. Samuel Osborne has built a small house & been resident with is family. Recommended Lot 28, Yonge East Side.
Notes1: The next to Sam. Osborne on Lot 19 King St. E. was granted to Richard Lawrence, brother-in-law, i.e. Alice Willson Osborn & sister Mary Willson Lawrence. Lot 28 in Markham also put Alice Osborn beside her father, brother & sister Mary Lawrence - PJA
Ref: UCLP 11, Y Bundle 1, p186.
. Lot 19, Duke St., Date of Patent 1802 May 17. Ref: Robertson Landmarks of Toronto, V1, p 381.

. UCLPetition 24, York:
To Peter Russell, Esq.
Petitioner given one fifth of an acre in the Town of York but the quantity is too small to built on. - prays for 4/5ths to make up his quantity an acre.
(25 March, 1799) Samuel Osborn.
NB. Petitioner further prays the one deed may contain 1/5th & the 4/5ths acre.
Envelope: Rec. 25 March 1799. The petitioner has already had an order for a Town Lot & not living in the Town more would be useless? P.R. [Peter Russell.]

. Samuel Osborn Yonge Street Vacant Lots:
1800 Oct 22 - On the same day Saml. Osborne was reported for this lot from the York Report, a burnt one area partly clear. } Declared open 22 Oct 1798. Mr Ridout thinks further time has been given to this man.
Envelope: 1800 Oct 29.
Recommend that as the time for which the Lots appointed to the French Loyalist be rescinded.
The Recommendation on the other side not approved by the Lieut. Governor in the General Report of 18 May, 1804.
Ref: UCLP 8 C.2980, p. 388.

. UCLP Yonge St. Petition # 16,
To Peter Hunter, Governor of the Province of Upper Canada, In Council
The Petition of Samuel Osborne, Humbly Shewth,
. has located on Lot No. 28 East Side Yonge Street where his family consisting of a wife & 7 children have constantly resided since the Month of December 1798.
. 6 acres thereof covered, fenced & under grain & grass, with a house thereon as offered by the affidavit hereunto annexed.
. He has been informed that one Hopkins claims a right to the said Lot No. 28 E Side Yonge Street.
. He prays this case may be taken into interventions may take place.
(signed) York, 6th Nov. 1800, Samuel Osborn.
Envelope: Conditions not having been performed in the above time, this Lot was then opened.
. In consideration of his large family, the Petitioner is reordered to have a grant, but subject with fees of Survey. Peter Russell.
. Silas Hopkins to be accommodated & dated local heard? J. Willson
Warrant WE. issued 1st February 1805. J.B.

. Personably appeared before John Willson one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of York,
Thompson Morewell? & William Fraser, men chosen or appointed to view the improvement on Lot 28 East side of Yonge Street in the possession of Samuel Osborn & being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God deposeth & sayeth that there is 6 acres cleared & in fence & all under grain & grass & a log house & the family of the above named Samuel Osborn in it.
Sworn before me this the 3rd November 1800, John Willson, Esq.

* Thompson Morewell & William Fraser, men chosen to view the improvement on Lot 28 East side of Yonge Street in the possession of Samuel Osborn sayeth that there is 6 acres cleared & in fence & all under grain & grass & a Log house & the family of the above named Samuel Osborn in it.
Sworn before me this the 3 of November 1800. John Willson, Esq.
Note2: John Willson, Esquire & Justice of Peace for York Twp., was also his father-in-law. - PJA.

MINUTES of the TOWN OF YORK, Meetings & Inhabitants (1797 to 1823.)
. 1799 Inhabitants of York, Osburn Sam., One male, Place of abode: York.

. 1804 Inhabitants of York, Samuel Osburn: 1 Male, 2 females, Children: 3 males & 3 females, Total 9 people.

. 1805 Inhabitants of York, Samuel Osburn: 1 male, 1 Women, 1 male * 16, 2 males * females * 2 Total 7 people.

. 1806 Inhabitants of York, Mrs. Osburn: 1 Women, 1 male over 16, 2 males*, females * 3, Total 7 people.

. Samuel Osborn died between this Annual meeting in 1805 March & 1806 March.

. 1807 Inhabitants of York, Mrs. Osburn: 1 Women, 1 male over 16, 2 males* females < 16, One, females *2 Total 7 people.
Samuel Osborne owned Lot 19D, south side King st. east of George Street.
XRef UC Sundries.: Lot 1, WS George St., Grantee Jose. Ketchum, resident: The Widow Osborn. i.e. between Dutchess & Toronto Sts.

Toronto Sundries, Home District Quarter Session Minutes:
1801 Jul 14, Wednesday. Petty Jury called & Severally sworn, as follows: 1. SAMUEL OSBORN & 11 others. Bernard Carey Vs. Joseph Kendrick. Indictment assault, verdict not guilty.

. 1801 Jul 15, Thursday. Petty Jury called & Severally sworn, as follows, 1. SAMUEL OSBORN & 11 others. Bernard Carey Vs. Joseph Kendrick, Indictment Assault. Verdict Not Guilty.

Second Case same day: Petty Jury called & Severally sworn, 5. SAMUEL OSBORN.
Witnesses on the part of the Crown, sworn. Bet. (Elizabeth) a negro woman, Leah Flannagan, Robert Gibson, Joh H Hudson. John H. Hudson. Witness on part of the Traverner, sworn J. B. D'Aiegre, Ambrose de Farcy. Interpreter allowed by the Court, John Cameron; at ½ past 10 at Night, the Jury not having returned with their verdict, the Court adjourned for one hour at an hour past 11, at Night, the Court met according to adjournment, Present John Small & James Ruggles Esq. at 1:45 o'clock of the 16th. The Court adjourned till 7 o'clock in the Morning, as the Jury had not as yet agreed on their verdict.
T. Ridout, C.P. H. D'. Leah Flannagan called upon her recognizance & discharged.

. 1805 Mar 4 - Annual Town Meeting, held at Hinds Hotel on Monday.
Saml Osburn: 1 Male, 1 Female, 2 Boys under 16y, 1 Girl 16+y, 2 Girls under 16y, Total 7, York Twp.

DROWNING
. 1811 May 18, York. To whom it may concern, This is to certify that I have known William Osburn of the Town of York for many years & never knew or heard of any thing to his disadvantage.
His father Samuel Osburn was master of a merchant vessel belonging to this Lake whose great exertions in endeavouring to preserve his vessel in bad weather was the cause of his death. Signed, Thos. Ridout.
Ref: Upper Canada Sundries, C4507, p. 272. Archives of Canada.

Ontario Land Registry, Abstract Metro Toronto Metro Toronto Blook 658, p18 & 25; & (Duplicate copt: Metro TO. Book 683, p132)
Lot No. 19, South side of King Street, Town of Toronto
. 1802 May 19, Patent, Crown, to Samuel Osborn, All Contg. 1/5 Acre, 30 ft X 112 feet deep.
. 1805 Feb 13, Bargain&Sale, 1805 Feb 9, Saml. Osborn & Alice his wife, to Richard Beasley etal, All Acres
. 1805 Feb 7, B&S, Saml Osborn his wife, to Geo O'Kill Stuart, All To hold unto, said grantee, his heirs & assigns forever. Dower barred. Sd, by Grantee..
Note2: In-laws, Mary & Richard Lawrence at Lot 18 King St.

Ontario Land Registry Abstracts, Markham Book 91, p119-121.
Lot 28, Con 1ESYonge, Markham:
. 1805 Feb 1, Patent, Crown, to Samuel Osborn, All 190 acres
. 1805 Feb 19, B&S, Samuel Osborn et eux, to Geo Cutter, all 190A
. 1836 Mar 14, Registered 1854.4.20, Grant, John Arnold, to Abner Arnold, £100. [i.e. in-law.]
. 1848 Dec 26, Mortgage, Abner Arnold et ux, to Wm Roe et al, £150, E part
. 1867 Jul 1, Lease, Abner Arnold, to John Parson, Right to Overflow & Water Privileges.
. 1885 Jan 13 Mort., Abner Arnold, to Ont. Ind. L & Invest Co., $600, # 100 A.
. 1893 Apr 7,Caution, Geo D.Arnold, EHalf inal.
. 1896 Nov 20, Grant, Geo D Arnold, Admr. of Abner Arnold, Mary E Tulloh, Bridgewater M Arnold & Sarah his wife, & Emma J Arnold, to James Whitton, $4050, E half inal.
Note4: i.e. just north of Yonge & Steeles Ave. & beside father-in-law, John & Rebecca Willson, UE, brothers-in-law, Lot 26: William Willson, Mary Willson & her husband, Lot 25: Richard Lawrence, John Willson at Lot 28, Yonge S. - PJA

Part 2, Naval History:

Note4: Belleisle, has undergone considerable name changes. Belle Island is a landlocked by the local tides. Ministers Island for Rev. Sam. Andrews' ministry there. The place was called Consquamcook or Quanoscumcook by the Indians, or for short Chamcook. As seen by the Land Deed, Belleilse is opposite the Quaker settlement of Passamaquoddy, N.B.

Land Grant sold:
Capt. Samuel Osborn to Rev. Samuel Andrews, Middlesex.
Know all men by these presents that I Samuel Osborn Esq. late commander of His Majesty’s Ship The Ariadne and now of London in the County of Middlesex,
for an in consideration of the sum of £250 lawful money of the Province of New Brunswick to me paid by Samuel Andrews of Saint Andrews, County of Charlotte and Province of New Brunswick in North America. Clerk, the receipt whereof acknowledged have granted bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell Sam’l Andrews Clerk and Missionary from the Society for the propagation of the gospel in the Parish of Saint Andrews aforesaid, his Heirs and Assigns, all that Island Called Cham, late lying and being within the County of Charlotte in the Province of New Brunswick in North on the West side of the Grand Bay of Passamaquoddy, bounded by the waters of the said Bay red xx acres more or less, of which said Island and its situation in respect to the shores the plan annexed to the original grant of the said Island unto the said Samuel lexx is a representation, as by the said original Grant on Letters Patent under the seal Prov. NB, bearing date the 26 August in the [blank] 1785 & the said place thereunto annexed, duly containing the Record in the Registry of the Prov. NB, to have & to hold the said lands & premises with the appurtenances to the said Samuel Andrews his heirs & Assigns, & to his & their only use & behalf forever & I do for myself any heirs executors & administrators covenant with the said Samuel Andrews his heirs & Assigns that I am seized of the premises as a good indefeasible estate of inheritance in fee simple free of & from all manual of x whatsoever & have good right & lawful authority to grant bargain & sell the same in manner & form as above written.
In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal this 15th March 1791 & in the 31 year of his majesty’s Reign
signed, Sam’l Osborn.
Signed sealed & delivered in presence of us, acknowledged to be the Deed of Hannah Jarvis, Samuel Peters, the son of the Sam’l Osborn by him this 15th of March 1791, at the Public Office in Symonds Inn* before me at master in Chancery, T. Walker.

I John Boydell, Lord Mayor of the City of London, do herby certify that Thomas Walker, before whom the acknowledgement of the Execution of the Bargain & sale hereunto annexed by Samuel Osborn appears to have been taken & whose name is thereunder written & subscribed, is a Master of the High court of Chancery in England & is a person to whom all faith & credit ought to be given.
In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the Office of Mayor to be hereunto affixed the 16 March, 1791.
Saint Andrews, Charlotte Co., Registered 1st June 1791. H. B. Brown, Registrar
Ref: Deed Book B pp. 123-24.

Note5: Public Office in Symons Inn Chancery, attached to the Inns of Court are law offices in London, England.
John Boydell of Lord Mayor of London in 1790. His was an art dealer, & among others, distributed Death of General Wolfe 1770, by Ben. West. The Lord Mayor Boydell of London seems to be a rather important person to witness this land transfer! - PJA.

Two squatters on Belleisle feared to be ousted from their island by the new settlers, so they petitioned Governor General Carleton in Halifax for title to the Island but were informed that a prior application had been received from Samuel Osborn, Captain of the warship Arethusa, then stationed at St. Andrews for protection of the refugees,
the deed transferring the Island from Osborn to Andrews is dated 1791, seven years after the two unfortunate settlers had left the Island.,
Rev. Samuel Andrews, Minister All Saints Church built a small stone cottage there, still standing today, though in bad repair, he put the property up for sale in 1798 but apparently had no takers, as it was still in his possession upon his death in 1818.
Ref: Wikipedia, 2012

- Sept 11, 1798, For sale, that valuable island called Chamcook, containing 700 acres, more or less, said island has about 100 acres of land under improvement, it cuts 40 tons of hay, has arable & pasture land in proportion, it has a fine thriving orchard, an house, barn & outhouses, is well watered & timbered, said island lies about one mile & a half from the town of St. Andrews, & is found by the mainland by a bar which is dry 8 hours in 12. For further particulars inquire Samuel Andrews, St. Andrews, NB, Feb. 27th, 1798.
Ref: Royal Gazette Newspaper, New Brunswick. 

- Receipt for Minister’s Island
On Monday, M. J. C. Andrews, brought to the Beacon office the original grant from George III to Capt. Samuel Osborne, of Chamcook Island, now known as Minister’s Island. This grant, which is quite a formidable document, is dated 26th August, 1785, & gives Capt. Osborne complete possession of the entire island. No reference is made to any others who claimed rights thereon. Endorsed on the back is the receipt from Capt. Osborne’s attorney to Rev. Samuel Andrews, grandfather of one of the present occupants of the island. This receipt is in the following terms:

St. Andrews, 23rd Feb., 1788.
Received of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Andrews, Missionary of the parish, of St. Andrews, the sum of £250, current money of the Province. of New Brunswick, being the full consideration money for the Island within mentioned.
Signed, Edw. Buller, Attorney for Samuel Osborne, £250 New Brunswick currency.
Witnesses: Joe Garnett.
Ref: Beacon Newspaper, NB. published 1897 Feb 18.

1818 Oct 7 - A CLERGYMAN ROADMAKING
- Rev. Samuel Andrews made a strong appeal to the sessions at that time “to devise a more certain & equal support for their poor.” He also presented a petition for a road to Chamcook Island, stating that he had been proprietor of the island for 7 years, & had not been able to get a road from the town to it. [since 1785 then, which would mean Osburn sold to him the same year he acquired the island, & the 1791 deed is post-dated*, as it seemed to be.]
“Much the greater part of the time he has been obliged to go to & from the island upon the sea shore, & to cross the water of the Cove, which has been the occasion of much trouble & great delay to him & has sometimes been attended with personal danger to himself & others.”
Ref: Saint John City Gazette & Beacon Newspaper, NB, published 1890, June 19.

Note6: The New Brunswick Government (as was also case in the Province of Upper Canada) were overwhelmed with all the land claims. It took a few years to even or the approved land grants to be issued. The Land Patten was a document worth beholding. It was on very large parchment with individually hand calligraphy. The Grant then bore a large apron. 4 X 5" x a quarter inch thick wax seal impressed on both sides with royal seals. It wasn't an expression when the Patten stated it was granted to the holder & his heirs forever! - PJ Ahlberg 2014.

1941 Dec 11 - Shiretown Items, A Bit of Local History
A letter from Wilbur J. Heuer, Edgerton, Wisconsin, making some inquiries, regarding an ancestor formerly residing here, was forwarded to me by the recipient, Chester A. Dixon, of Deer Island.
For a beginning we shall go back to the year 1779 when two men, named Ephraim Young & John Hanson, latter being the great, great grandfather of D. G. Hanson, the present Collector here, came from Gouldsboro, Maine, & settled on what was then called Chamcook Island. On their way they stopped for a short period on Campobello (Admiral Owen’s records). Hanson had served in the British Provincial Army from 1757 to 1763, & was with Wolfe at the taking of Quebec. He was 41 years old when he came to Chamcook (afterwards called Minister’s Island).
 At that time the population of St. Andrews was two. The place was called Consquamcook or Quanoscumcook by the Indians. This population consisted of two men who lived in a log cabin about where the record office now sits, & their home was on the bank of a small stream which emptied into the harbour at the point where Mr. Jos. Handy’s house is situated. They carried on a fur trade with the Indians. Their names are lost in the mists of the long ago, but they were agents for Brown & Frost of Saint John.
 Mr. Young & Mr. Hanson, on arriving at Chamcook Island, immediately set to work & cleared a plot of ground. They lived there precariously for six years, being both married & having families. This whole island was in 1785 granted to Capt. Osborne by the government of the newly formed province of NB. On learning that grants were being made Young & Hanson petitioned for the land but were too late. They were paid a fair sum for improvements they had made. They then each bought a lot of land at Bocabec.
St. Croix Courier New Brunswick.

HMS Arethusa ordered to cruise against American privateers in the Irish Sea. Undated reference. - - -

Died:
Died trying to save his Lake Ontario ship.

Samuel married Alice WILLSON, .1 est before 1792. Alice (daughter of John WILLSON, Esq., 1, Sur. and Rebekah /Thixton THICKSON(E)) was born est 1765 in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died after 1 Dec 1815 in New York State. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Alice is the daughter of Rebecca Thixton & John Willson Sr., possibly born on their farm in Piscataway, NJ or perhaps at Staten Island.
In 1787 at Miramichi, John said one of his sons-in-laws had returned to the United States.

. UCLand Petition 24, "O" Bundle 4, York, Vol 392, 1799:
The petition of Alice Osborn, wife of Samuel Osborn & Daughter of John Willson, Esquire. Most Humbly preys your Honour in Council would please to grant your Petitioner such a share of land as is allotted to one of that description & your petitioner as in duty bound shall every prey.
Signed, 18 of March 1798, Alice Osborn.
Envelope: Petition of Alice Osborn, Rec. 5 Apr 1798 of Willson Esq. Read 9 Apr. Ordered 200 Acres as Daughter of a U.E. Loyalist. Peter Russell - AW. 28 Mar. '98 Entered.
Note1: Verify if land granted to 1798, Vaughan Twp. was beside/ near her sister Mary Willson Lawrence, also granted 1802 Vaughan Twp.

. 1806 Mar 3, Monday. Annual Town Meeting held at Stoyell's Inn, York:
Mrs. Osborn, 1 Female, 1 Boy 16+, 1 Boy under16, 3 Girls under 16, Total 7, Twp. of York.
Note2: Husband is dead. Most unusual for a female to attend this meeting. - PJA

. Extract from the Biography of son John Willson Osborn, by son-in-law S. B. Gookins:
John Willson Osborn was the second son of Capt. Samuel OSBORN, a gallant & accomplished officer in the British navy. His grandfather & eldest brother, Capt. William OSBORN, were also both officers in the service of his majesty the king of England.

* Also his maternal grandfather, for whom he was named, held a captain's commission & was an intimate friend of Gen. BROCK* acted as commissary general, etc., & filled many places of trust.
Note3: * John Willson, Esq., UE was a friend of Lieut. Gov. John Graves Simcoe during the the American Revolution.

. William OSBORN, the eldest son of Capt. Samuel OSBORN Jr., was promoted to a captaincy very young for bravery during several sharp engagements at sea. Thus by the divine right of inheritance & early associations Mr. John W. OSBORN was fitted for the struggles & difficulties of pioneer life which need a brave heart, untiring devotion, progressive & aggressive, to the principles of right.

* Mr. OSBORN's mother was Alice WILSON, the daughter of John WILSON & Rebecca THIXTON, his wife. She was born on Staten Island. She was educated in New York, where the family lived always a part of each year, her father being an officer in the British army, loyal to his king. They left the United States & made a new home in Canada, living sometimes at Halifax, Quebec, Montreal, Canancoqua*, & finally settling down at Toronto, buying land & laying, as they supposed, a permanent foundation for a home.
Ref: Biography John Willson Osborn,
Note4: * Canacoqua, is now Kingston, Ontario.

Ontario Land Registry, Toronto Book 683, p75
Lot 1, West side of George St, TOWN OF YORK
. 1801 Aug 10, Grant, Crown, Joseph Kethum
. 1811 JANY 13, Bargain&Sale, Alice Osborne, to Wm. Osborn, Western most part of East half lot
. 1808 Jul 21, Henry Hale etux, to Alice Osborn, Eastern half
. 1811 May 23, Wm Osborn, to Jas Lockwood, Western part 1/2 Acre
. 1811 Apr 1, Alice Vanzantee etall, to Jordan Post Jr., East 1/4 Acre
. 1815 Feb 18, Registered 1815 Dec 1, Alice Osborn, to Jordan Post Jr., E 1/4 Acre.
Note: Next Lot 2, W George St, registered 1805 Feb 14, to her father, John Willson Sur.
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg, Thank you. - - -

Died:
Verify location, Markham, Ontario or New York State?

Notes:

Married:
(Location: NB or NYC.)

Notes:

Birth:
Verify forename.

Notes:

A great deal of Canadian documents exist for John Willson, Esq., of which a selection is recorded here:
Note: No reference can be found that John Willson, Esq. was ever called or used the name John Miller Willson. - PJA 2010.

PART ONE:
John is the son of Sara Ladner & John Willson, Senior. .
* Deed (of unknown date) to John & James Willson for more land adjoining the first 100 Acres £29 - Jane & Rachel Drummond, only children of the Earl of Perth, Executed by Elias Bouodinot, Esq. Elizabeth Town, NJ.
Executed Elias Boudion, Esq. lawyer, ElizabethTown, NJ. [Date as below??]
* 1796 Dec 15, Tract of drowned lands along Wallkill, deeded to John & Samuel Willson from Joseph & William Sharp. (Deeds in the possession of Eva A Willson).
Ref: "Line of Descent of George Roger Gilbert"

. 1760 Oct. 16 - WILL of John Langstaff of Piscataway, NJ. To wife Mary & grandson John Langstaff, lands south of Ambrose Book. Witnesses John Willson, Jr. & John Arnold,
Note1: The 2, Langstaff & Arnold, also went to Upper Canada, where they were amongst many New Jersey exiles located near each other on north Yonge Street, Toronto. - PJ Ahlberg.

. John Wilson of Piscataway, Middlesex Co., Memorial, Summary now of Miramichi, Northumberland Co., 1786, joined troops at Woodbridge in 1777 in Forge Dept. Claim for 50 Acres & an house.
Ref: Commission for Loyalist Losses. # 12 /16 /187 -192, 63/115 & 109/320. Jan. 1787.

. Old United Empire Loyalists List
Wilson John Senr., (Home District) From Staten Island. Came in a settler in 1878 with 3 sons.
Ref: Appendix B.
Willson, John of Piscataway, Middlesex Co., Memorial, now of Northumberland Co., NB, sworn St. Johns, NB, 1786. He fled to the Army at Perth Amboy in 1777.
Schedule of LOSSES 81 Acres of land in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., East New Jersey; 1 house, barn, out houses, Orchards, £1000; 3 Acres of Salt Meadow, £10; confiscated & sold by Congress; 5 Horses, £50; 9 Cows, £45; 4 young cattle, £8; Farming utensils & Household furniture £60,
Total: £1173. New York currency.

. 1784 May, Settled New Brunswick, Canada: John Wilson, Esq.:
8 in the family, 2 acres improved & a house.

. 1789 - 11 Jul 1793. John Willson, Esq. Sr., JP was the first Registrar for Northumberland, NB, 1787 to 1793.
John Willson & Family landed in New Brunswick, Canada in 1783 & was granted land on the Miramichi River, in Northumberland County. Gov. Thomas Carlton made him a Magistrate & Justice of the Peace. The salary for a magistrate in NB was £300 a year. His adventures there in this wild land would be enough for one lifetime, & to speak nothing of what preceded the Miramichi or what would come after.
A full history with documentation may be found at North York Public Library, Toronto & the Richmond Hill Public Library may be found under Richard Lawrence, John Brown Lawrence & John Willson of New Jersey, NB & Ontario. by P J Ahlberg, U.E., May 2009.

1791 Nov. 18 - Upper Canada Proclamation, creating the new province; & John Willson had already visited Governor J G Simcoe in Quebec City by the 17 Jun 1792 when Simcoe arrived Montreal & then again 26 July 1793 when he arrived in Niagara, Upper Canada).

. 1793 Apr 26, John Willson, JP, paid for a tombstone at Willson's Point, Miramichi, NB made for his grandson, Abraham Willson.

. WHY HE LEFT NEW BRUNSWICK:
Mr. Wilson further says, that when he left the Miramichi Settlement in the NB, he did it because the lands are not valuable for farmers & not worth clearing from the severity of the climate; that one of his sons-in-laws had already left the Settlement. Mr. Wilson says that a due care to provide for his family was the sole reason of this quitting Miramichi. He is his own person being better off there then he would possibly be elsewhere living almost without labour upon offices he possessed in that Country. A true statement, Signed, E B Littlehales, 16 July, 1794, Niagara.

. 1796 UPPER CANADA LAND PETITION & REVOLUTIONARY MUSTER:
UCLPetition 57. To John Graves Simcoe, Lieut. John Willson, Jur. He suffered much by this Rebel party (at the point of the bayonet) before the British Army Landed on Staten island, the making several attempts to join them but always hindered till when the British Army was Advancing [22 Oct 1776] from the White Plains (NY) to the Jersey. I then joined them at Woodbridge [New Jersey Dec 3, 1776] & went with them to Brunswick (NJ, Dec 16, 1776).
I then entered into James Christies' employ [i.e. the Quartermaster ] as a Forage master & ran Many risks of my Life, being twice taken Prisoner & confined but maid my escape & returned to my service again, till when the army returned from the Jerseys to Staten Island,
& embarked for the Head of Elk [river flowing towards Philadelphia, Dec. 1777] were my health would not admit of my going on board, to retrieved with my family on said Island where I continued till the commencement of the peace.
I then embarked with my family for Nova Scotia (since New Brunswick), where I drew 270 acres in Northumberland where I served in Sivil Commission & offices under Governor Carleton till July the 19th, 1793. There I set out with 60 men, women & children (Including my own family) for Niagara where we arrived on the 7th of next October. ... He wants Lots 4 & 5 on the River Humber & Lot 30 on west side of Yonge Street. March 25th, 1796, John Willson.

. 1777 Apr 26, OYSTER BAY, NJ: Upon the requisition of the Commissary General of Forage. You will be pleased to Detach a Captain, 2 Subalterns & 60 ranked & file, to cover and conduct a Foraging Party from the East end of Long Island & this shall be your sufficient Authority for so doing. Signed, T. Paterson.
. 1777 Dec 6, NYC HQ: Captains having horses are permitted to draw one ration of Forage from the 10th instant till further Orders,
no Forage to be drawn but for effective Horses.
Ref: Orderly book of the 3 battalions of Lowlier, commanded by Brigadier Gen. Oliver DeLancy 1776-78 at NYC.

. 1795, Jul 29 - John Willson, Junr. Town Lot and 400 Acres.
Ref: YORK REPORT, Summary of Land Grants. Ref: C2980, Page 178, etc.

. Schedule of grants to pay full fees to the Home District - William Jarvis Copy Books: Grant # 166 Wilson, John, Jun, 190 Acres, York, 12 Mar. 1794, U.E., Fee £3.5.2 Ref: Wm. Jarvis Papers, TPRL.

. UCLPetition 37C, W Bundle 2, Microfiche C2950.
Willson I, John Sur. UE, On March 16, 1810 John purchase York Town Lots 3 & 4 N side, Hospital Street for £100 & sold it at an apparent lost of £50, the next year to Jesse Ketchum.

. 1800 Apr 8 * FIRST APPOINTMENT for the first HOME DISTRICT, Toronto, are Magistrates Wm. James, John Willson, J Small, J McGill. Ref: Toronto Sundries, Quarter Session Minutes.

PART TWO, New Brunswick, Canada to Toronto:

X-Reference: Richard Lawrence & John Willson Petition for RATIONS AT NIAGARA
The Simcoe Papers Toronto Public Reference Library & John McGill papers, TPL also, at the Baldwin Room: comprising 3 boxes of'True' hand written duplicates of correspondences & accounts for Upper Canada. Documents are In precarious state. Photocopies of the original documents may be seen in my book on R Lawrence & J Willson.

MAY FLEET's ARRIVAL AT YORK Summary:
John Willson & 46 people assembled & left New Brunswick together in 1793 to come to Ontario. Many of these people had known each other back in the United States, during & previously to the Revolutionary War. The May Fleet journey began in May 1783 at Staten Island, New York with the British evacuation to New Brunswick & Nova Scotia.
* About Nov. 1791 John Willson visited the new Governor, John Graves Simcoe during his arrival in Quebec City. In 1792 new land was offered in Upper Canada. Here is part of that journey from Kingston to the Town of York, today's Toronto, on north shore of Lake Ontario:

On 11 July, 1793 the group took a ship around NB & UP the St. Lawrence River to Montreal. On the 17th of August, at Montreal, Commandant Isaac W Clarke* assigned the group an 6 extra Canadians to guide the 3 bateaux past the Rapids of Lachine. The open bateau were 30 feet long & propelled with both a moveable sail, ropes & barge poles.
Note2*: Com. General Isaac Winslow Clarke, Head Quarters at Lachine, War of 1812.

When they arrived at the Port of Kingston they were sick & needed treatment from the kind doctors at Fort William Henry. They promised to repay the Fort for the 1543 rations they had been assigned. Even though the Commandant risked having to pay for the rations from his own military salary, Capt. Porter* wrote, " humanity induced me to act as I have done."
Note3: Capt. Richard Porter, Esq., Justice of Peace, 60th Regt. granted 1200 Acres of land in the Town of Kingston, 1794.

The Assembly had arrived at Kingston 28th day of August. For a month they waited for the next bateaux "but did not gain Niagara until 7th October, 1793." The late Chief Justice, the Honorable William Osgood, said he would speak to Simcoe for the further 1529 Rations the starving & sick families again required upon their arrival at Fort George at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Upper Canada. (Also referred in the documents as Newark or Head of the Lake (Ontario). By return poste, Governor Simcoe ordered the Fort commandant to convey the Loyalist by the Government boat, to north bank of Lake Ontario to the Town of York. Gov. Simcoe & his Queen's Rangers had themselves only arrived on the 29th of July, 1793 in the new Capital of York.

* 1793 Oct 7 - THE SIXTY PEOPLE of this new MAY FLEET arrival at York, included an additional 14 members of whom it is likely the Kendricks joined up at Kingston. The names of those 12 families who made the journey are:
John Willson, Richard Lawrence, Patrick Cobgon (Colgan, Colgin?), Joseph Kendrick, Peter Whitney (signed), John Kendrick, Titus Fitz [Fitch], Duke William Kendrick, Samuel Sinclair, Samuel Osborn, Hiram Kendrick, Peter Long.

John Willson had signed for army provisions for the group & it was he that was required to sign a receipt on 2 Nov., 1793 for £100 their repayment in 3 years. Some of the assembly had already moved on from the area & thus leaving no chance of their earning money for to repay Willson.

THE KINGS MILL ON THE HUMBER - Now known as The Old Mill, Etobicoke, (Toronto), Ontario:
Gov. Simcoe gave a License to John Willson & to John Brown Lawrence to build & operate the Kings Mill on the Humber River. Both Willson & Lawrence were lawyers who had done legal business together on occasion back in Burlington, NJ. As well both were friends of Gov. Simcoe.

* 1797-99 KINGS MILL First Hand DESCRIPTION *
* The Kingsmill was located between the 2 roads on the west side of the Humber at the spring above at the meadow. * The Mill seat was a log structure 30 feet by 60 feet long built on a small island in the Humber. A dam & mill race were built to allow salmon & other fish free passage up & down without being destroyed in the race or by the mill wheel. No one was allowed to catch these fish. It was here also that one of Governor Simcoe's own horse was stolen while in pasture on John Brown Lawrence's land & it was recovered sometime after his death.
A beautiful cedar swamp provided fencing for the house at the spring on the high banks. The Kingsmill was on the lower end of the famous Toronto Carrying Place Trail. On the high sandy bank opposite Kingsmill there stood for over thousand years a large village of Seneca longhouses.

The best British regulations to preserve the large runs of salmon & trout, also encouraged the cutting of trees along the river habitant. Old photos show graphically the hazards of spring break-up as ice boulders overflow onto the mill race & pond & on the island adjacent the Kingsmill.

. LUMBER from the HUMBER: One fourth of all lumber cut was due as rent payment to the Government. Thick pine slabs from the Kings sawmill were used in the Navy Hall at Niagara-on-Lake, Gov. Simcoe's home called Castle Frank; the First Parliament Buildings on Kings St., Toronto, & cedar was used to build the Howland's the Lambton Mill, a mile up stream at Dundas Street.
- Willson was paid from the public purse to deliver by oxen, the thick pine planks to Castle Frank on Bloor Street.
- 1798 May John Willson had cut lumber to build on his front lot in the Town of York.

. 1797 Jul 17 - Inhabitants to York Township & adjoining Townships, assembled, Inhabitants of the Humber:
John Willson, Esq.: Men 2, Women 1;
John Wilson, Junr.: Men 3, Women 2.

. 1797 Nov 9th - Lt. John McGill registered in his papers, an application from John Willson to purchase the Kings Mill which Willson found in need of improvements when he first took up the lease. A total of £299 income had been generated from 1794 -1796 the saw mill operations. Willson might have had an opportunity to purchase the Kingsmill, if Lieut. Gov. Simcoe remained in Upper Canada when the Mill lease opened up again in 1799.

. 1796 July 16 - From the government stores, Gov. Simcoe ordered to be issued to John Lawrence, Esq., a pair of French Bur Mill Stones & grist mill irons as needed for the befit of the settlers in that district. John Willson send the Government the first seven barrels of corn ears of flour that he had milled & measured on 20 October, 1796.
Note4: Is this the same French Burr mill stone sitting outside of current 'Old Mill Inn' on the Humber River? -PJA.

. Lease from the Kingsmill ran from 1 Jan 1796 to end of 1798. Unfortunately his partner John Lawrence died about the 10 July, 1798 & Willson friend & sponsor, Gov. Simcoe had returned to England due to ill health.

. ICE JAMS: Photos of ice jams at spring break up show clearly that the British engineers who chose this location in Upper Canada had no idea of the force of the Humber River in spring or the storm run off, especially with the increased deforestation would decimate the salmon fishery... Since Hurricane Hazel in 1957 the Humber Valley is considered a flood plain & is preserved as park land only. Contractors hired by the British to build the mill did not finish the job. The millstones cut too slowly & the mill race & pond & other repairs had to be done at the expense of John Willson. Willson was granted Lots 4 & 5 on the Humber River, but the Government mill on this property had to be leased out at the cost of half of the wood cut. The normal fee was usually one quarter of the wood cut. - P J Ahlberg 2009.

. 1799 Feb 13 - Petition for machinery for the mills at the Humber rejected. p226.
. 1800 Jan 12 - Proposal by the President respecting the mill on the Humber, p.202
. 1801 Oct 15 - Repairs authorized for the Mill at the Humber. page 156.
Ref: Report on Canadian Archives, 1891 edition.

( . 1804 Sep 15, York, Upper Canada. We understand the late heavy rains have done material damage to the roads in different parts of the country, insomuch as to render them in some places told impassible, by sweeping away the causeways & bridges. At the Credit the water suddenly rose to such a height as entirely to overflow the ground occupied by the Indians as an encampment, for the purpose of fishing, carried away all before it. The Indians, in the greatest consternation, narrowly escaped in the night, with their lives, after having lost their canoes, arms & other property. Considerable damage has also been sustained by individuals in many places in loss of corn, hay etc & particularly at & near Don river, in the breaking of Mill dams. We are informed that the Humber Mills are entirely destroyed.
Red: Morning Chronicle Newspaper, New York, NY., published Oct 2, 1804.)

. Nicholas Clinkenbroomer (Klingenbrunner) the first tailor of the Town of York states that he married a Sarah Sally White in York in January of 1799. The marriage was conducted by John Wilson J.P. because there was no Anglican Church in York as yet. Settled Yonge St. [1837 Chas Clinkenbroomer, 229 King St.; J. Clkinbroomer, Tailor , Duchess St.]

. 1799 Mar 23rd, John Willson advertised in the Oracle, York to sell Lots 4 & 5, the 50 acres & a most beautiful cedar swamp. Persons willing to purchase may know the conditions by applying to John Wilson, Esquire, on Yonge Street. When the lease expired it was purchased by Peter Whitney.

. 1800 May 26 - A Memorial of Indenture of Bargain & Sale, made A Memorial of Indenture of Bargain & sale dated 26 May, 1800, made between John Willson, Markham Twp., Esqr. & Rebecca his wife & Peter Whitney*, York Twp., whereby said John Willson hath granted a certain tract of land lying Lots 4 & 5, on the Humber, York Twp., 200 Acres. Signed & Sealed 26 May, 1800, John Willson, Wit: John Willson Jr. & Still. Willson., sworn before T. Ridout.
Ref: York Land Registry Office, Toronto
Note5: Peter Whitney resided on the Miramichi R. near John Willson & was one of the families brought with Willson to York. Later he lived Lot 3, Con 8 Markham near him.

. 1803 Apr 16, Sat. - On Tuesday night last, the saw mill situated on the Humber accidentally caught fire & was entirely consumed. We have not yet learned how the fire originated.
. 1804 Sep 22 - In our last week's paper, under the Oracle, we mentioned the Humber Mills as being destroyed. We are now happy to have it in our power to contradict that report & to inform the public that they have sustained little or no injury by the late floods.
Ref: The Oracle Newspaper.

. 1800 Jun 15 - Thomas Humberstone, Jr. was married to Ann Nancy Harrison, daughter of Christopher Harrison & Priscilla Peddle on 15 Jun 1800 in York, Ontario. They were married by Justice of the Peace John Willson of the Town of York because "there [was] no minister of the Church of England living within 18 miles of them." Thos. Humberston, L24, Con 1 W of Yonge St., He has a wooden leg, loss in War of 1812.

PART THREE, Life in Upper Canada:

. 1798 May 4, John Willson, Esq. Identification marks of Cattle, hoggs, sheep & swine: a swallow-fork in each ear.

UC LAND GRANTS:
. 1200 ACRES - Lots 4 & 5, on the Humber (adjoining the Kings Mill (Old Mill) June 1797;
. Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, Con 3,
. Dorchester Twp. South, Elgin County, 800 Acres (in the 'future Capital of Upper Canada', also near the land of Lt. Gen. John Graves Simcoe.) Lots 11-14, Con 480 acres. Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, Con 3, Dorchester South, 800 Acres
. Lot 30, Con 1 West Yonge Street, Vaughan, Settlement Duty paid 1801, finally granted Feb. 1809;
. Town of York Lots 3 & 4 N side of Hospital St., Purchased £100, Ontario St. to Sherbourne St. [1827 Bank of Upper Canada Building, 252 Adelaide St. E. 1830 Toronto's First Post Office, 260 Adelaide St. E.]

. From 1798 to about 1820 John lived at Lot 30, Con 1 Yonge Street. He ran a saw mill on his property & he was also a Justice of Peace. John's wife, Rebecca Thixton, died in June 1804 & was buried on her son property, at Lot 26, Yonge Street & Steeles.
(X-Ref: Wm. L. Willson for description of first burial site.)

A Record of the Marks of Horn Cattle, Sheep & Swine. For the Inhabitants of the Townships of York, Scarboro & Etobeconk:
. 1798 May 4th, 1798, John Willson, Esqr. - A Swallow-fork in each ear.
Ref: York, Upper Canada Minutes of Town Meetings, Toronto Ref. Library.

. UPPER CANADA SUNDRIES:
Willson J., 1814 February 8, York, page 7839 & Willson, John, 1814 March 12, York, Pg. 8019-21.
Ref: Archives of Canada, microfiche C 9822-25.

* 1798 Dec 19th, York Officers of the York Militia: John Willson, Esq., Justice of the Peace, formerly Capt. of Militia, in Nova Scotia, to be a Captain in the York Militia.

. " 1802 June 28th, a wolf's scalp certified by J. Wilson, Esq., taken in part of assessment £1. "Page n515.

* 1800 Apr 8, Tuesday. The First Sitting in Upper Canada of the Home District Magistrates:
Wm. Jarvis, JOHN WILLSON, John Small, James Macauly, Wm. Willcocks, Wm. Allan, John McGill, Alex Wood, Wm. Chewett, James Ruggles, signed. Justices of our said Lord the King, assigned to keep the Peace of our said Lord, the King in the Home District & also to hear & determine divers felonies, trespasses & other incidences in the said District. Wm. Jarvis, Esq., chose chairman. Commission opened & read.
Ref: Home District Quarter Session of the Peace Minutes. [i.e. Toronto, York County, Ontario.]

. 1805 Sept 18. John married Catherine B Kuhn who was the widow of a man also named John Willson, who had died 1788 in Duchess Co., New Jersey. They moved northward to Hope (Sharon, Ontario) which is very near Lake Simcoe. Catherine's s on David Willson had split off from the local Quaker group, to start his own group called the Children of Peace, who were having a renaissance of intellectual thought & music. John taught school at the Children of Peace, & John & his 2nd wife Katherine were buried in the Sharon Burial Grounds. John remained Anglican & Bishop Strachan said officiated at his funeral. When eventual son Wm. Ladner Willson's land was sold, Rebecca & John were reburied together under cairn at the Holy Trinity Church in Thornhill, not far from their home on Yonge Street. The Sharon Temple / Children of Peace celebrated their 200 anniversary in 2008 with candlelight concerts & is open as a museum.

WAR of 1812.
. 1812 Sept 14-15. Wilson's & Denison's Companies were dismissed from the Garrison with the detachments from other companies.
. 1812 Oct 17: Ely Playter: I sent the company home as not more than half the company appeared & went down to Captain Wilson's to see after the rest. Stayed all night at Wilson's as my horse left me. On Oct 16 I received a letter from Col. Chewed wording me to march the 1st company to York. Went early to some peoples houses but they keep out of they way. I was much vex at their conduct.
Ref: Ely Playters Diary.

Garrison Orders: Captains for the day tomorrow, Capt. Willson
. 1812 Oct 19 & 29th 1s Militia; Nov 3rd; Nov 8th; Nov 11th; Nov 14th
. 1812 Dec 22, York, - This day the Militia Garrison at York, Officers & men, unanimously contributed to the use of the Society one day's pay per muster.
Ref: The report of the Loyal & Patriotic Society of Upper Canada (for the relief of militiamen's families.)

* * Recapitulation of Fort York, (Toronto), WAR of 1812,
As a captain of the 1st Regiment, York Militia on duty at the captured at Fort York, John Willson was arrested & jailed. John Willson was one of the six officers that signed the papers of Recapitulation to the American invaders. Geo. Playter's Diary tells us, like him, John Willson was armed with a musket & ready for action!

1812 Sep 13, Thos. Ridout's Garrison Orders, Captain for the day tomorrow: Capt Willson. Capts Willson & Denisons Companies together will the Detachments of the Country. Companies now attached to the different companies in the York Garrison shall be permitted to return to their respective homes until further orders, but to hold themselves in readiness to return at shortest notice if required & the officers belong to the companies will take the necessary steps for collecting the men if it is found necessary to recall them.

* 1813 Apr 25 - York. Capt. John Willson, 1st York Militia, Prisoner of War at surrender of the Garrison of Ft. York 27 Apr 1813, captured by the Army & Navy of the US at York.
VERIFY UC SUNDRIES JR OR SR?
WillsonJ.1814 February 8York PAGE 7839
Willson John1814 March12York PAGE 8019-21

. 1814 Jun 10 - Men drafted in Capt. Wm. Jarvis Co., York Militia: STILLWELL WILLSON* formerly of Capt. Ridout 3YM,
Ira Kendrick, substitute for PETER LAWRENCE*,
Wm. Kendrick substitute for THOMAS JOHNSTON* formerly 3rd Reg. Capt Hamilton,
JOHN VANZANTE, Osborn Cox, all formerly 3rd Regt. York,
Isaac Vanderburgher* of 1st York Militia who is a substitute for Joshua Leack & John Willson of Capt Ridout's 3YM,
Jenlay Cameron of 1YM under Capt. Wilson, substitute for Thomas Wilson(*?) of Ridout's 3YMilitia.
Note6: All these are relatives* or neighbors & acquaintances.
Verify: It would appear that John Willson Jr. was likely still ill for him to hire a J. Cameron as his substitute . - PJA].

. John Willson #14005, Capt. of 3rd Reg. York Militia, Captured by Dearborne & Chauncy on 27 May 1813 at York U.C.,
. John Willson #14006, Lieutenant of 3rd Reg. York Militia, Captured by Dearborne & Chauncy on 27 May 1813 at York U.C.
Ref:

. UCLPetition 219, L Bunde 3, C2954, p660
To Sir Peregrine Maitland, Lieu Gov. of UC, In Council
The Petition of John Willson, The Elder, Esq., of Markham,
Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioner, an American loyalist, and in the royal service during the American Rebellion, was among the first settlers of this Province, wherein he has ever since remained, & was again on service as Captain commanding a company of the 1st Regiment of York Militia during the late war, part of the time (in York Garrison) in 1812 & was on duty till the capture of York [ June 1813].
Your petition has received from Colonel Allan, who commanded the militia at York whilst your petition was on the duty, the accompanying certificate of his service, but as your petitioner did not command a Flank Company, he is informed by the Adjutant-General of Militia he cannot obtain his (the Adjutant-General's) Certificate for Land. John Willson, York, 28 June 1820.

. I certify that Capt. John Willson, of the 1st Regt. York Militia, was on duty in the Garrison of York during the winter of 1812, and the spring of 1813, under my command, as well as subsequently. He at all times did his duty faithfully and punctually, and with great zeal., Signed, Colonel Wm. Allan, Commander Militia & York Garrison, 15 June 1820.
Envelope: Deferred for Lt. Gov. Maitland, Entered Land Book K, page 411.

. Obituary notice: "At Hope Village, East Guillimbury, on the 8th inst., much & generally regretted, John Wilson, Esq., a native of the Province of New Jersey, aged 90 years & 14 days. Mr. Willson was a U.E. Loyalist & for a long period an active magistrate in the province of New Brunswick. He emigrated into Upper Canada 35 years ago [1793] & contented to enjoy good health until with a few days of his demise. At his request, expressed on his death bed, Doctor Strachan, Archdean on of York, went out to Gwillimbury & performed the last offices of the church over the remains. The venerable dignitary delivery a funeral oration in the chapel of the Children of Peace, in Hope, on the occasion, which was attended by a great concourse of friends, acquainted & relate vies the deceased.".
Ref: Colonial Advocate, Published 16 Jul 1829.
Hope, E. Gwillimbury is also now know as Sharon, Ontario.

* DEATH OF JOHN WILLSON: In your letter of the 24th ult., 1829, you asked about one John Willson who died at Hope (Sharon, ON) about. This old man was called Squire Willson. He was David Willson's stepfather, my father's stepmother's second husband (Katherine Kuhn). Her first husband, also called John Willson, died about 1788 in Duchess County, New York). She soon after married Squire Willson who was a man highly respected. He came, I believe for NS in Gov. Simcoe's time & was by the Governor much thought of. He had a large family by a former wife, but none by this one. There are a number of great grandchildren, living in the Twps. of York & Scarborough. Service of the Canada Company at the time of the settling of Goderich & neighborhood. When these old people became helpless, David Willson took them home and kept them until they died. They died poor but honest. They once had property which his children spent for them.
Ref: Extracted from a letter of 5 December, 1869, Holland Landing Richard Titus Willson.

. A still more complete family history & pictures may be found at North York Public Library, Toronto & at the Richmond Hill Library, under Richard Lawrence, U.E., John Willson, & John Brown Lawrence of New Jersey, NB & Ontario. Research & transcriptions by P J Ahlberg, U.E, May 2009. Thank you. - -- -

Lot 4 - 5, Con 2 & 3 on Humber [River]
North York Book 86, p45 & NY Book 87, p 3
. 1798 Oct 24, Patent, Crown, to John Willson, All (170?) Acres
. 1800 May 26, John Willson et ux, to Peter Whitney, Lots 4 & 5, in all Acres
. 1807 May 8, Peter Whitney et ux, to Jos Haines Jr, Lot in all
. 1827 Mar 19, B&S, Jos. Haines, Wm. Cooper, £320, Lot 4 & 5
. 1880 Apr 21, Grand, Peleg Howland to Mary Ford, $1800, Part 1 Acres S. Dundas Street.
. 1883 Apr 2, Ken Chrisholm, to Credit Valley Railway, $333, Part acre.
Note:7 Adjacent lots 1, 2, 3 belonged to John B Lawrence, Esq.

Ontario Land Registry Abstract Vaughan Book 179, p96
Lot 30, Con 1 West of Yonge Street { later renumbered as Lot 4, Con 1 West side Yonge St.
. 1810 Mar 29, Patent, Crown, to John Willson, Senior, All 210 Acres.
. 1811 Sep 15, Bargain&Sale, John Willson Senior et ux, to Stilwell Willson, £300, All 210A.
. 1819 Jan 30, Mortgage, Stillwell Willson, to Wm. Allan £175, All Acres
. 1822 May 23, B&S, SW, to Wm. Allan £175, All Acres
. 1823 Jul 26, Wm Allan to Henry John Boulton, £168, NE 55A.
. 1824 Jul 16 Indenture, SW, to Andrew McKendry, £12.10, 1/4 Acre.
. 1831 Aug 2, B&S, Stillwell Willson, to Jos. Milburn, £125, SWHalf 50 Acres of rear.
Note8: Lot 30, Con 1 WSY, Vaughan was a given for his partipation in the War of 1812.

Ontario Land Registry Abstract, Town of Toronto Book 684, p127
Lot 3 North side of Richmond St.,
. 1802 May 19, Patent, Crown, to James Elliott, 3/5 Acre
. 1804 Feb 23, B&S, Jas Elliott etall, to Jno Vanznate, 3/5 Acre
. 1805 Sep 5, B&S, Jno Vanzante, to T B Gough, All
. 1810 Mar 12, B&S, T B Gough, to Jno Willson, Senior, All
. 1811 Jan 29, B&S, Jno Willson, to Jesse Ketchum.

Ontario Land Registry, Toronto Book 683, p78
Lot 2, West side of George St, TOWN OF YORK
. 1801 May 20, Grant, Crown, to Saml Nash
. 1805 Feb 14 B&S, Saml Nash, to Jon Willson
. 1806 Oct 28, B&S, John Willson Senr eteux, to Joseph Willocks, W Half.
Note: Adjacent Lot 1 George St., is registered 1811 JANY 13 to daugher, Alice Osborn Vanzante. - - -

Birth:
Lawyer, Burlington, NJ.

Buried:
Children of Peace Burial Grounds.

Died:
Aged 90 years, 14 days. = 14 Jul 1739.

John married Rebekah /Thixton THICKSON(E) in 1760 in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., New Jersey. Rebekah (daughter of Jonathan THICKSTUN, .1 and Mary Coats MARTIN) was born on 10 Jul 1743 in St James, Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., NJ; died on 6 Jun 1804 in Thornhill, Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried on 7 Jun 1804 in Thornhill, Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The spelling Rebekah Thixton is based on her own signature dated 1793.6.27.

From the biography of Rebecca & John's grandson:
. Mr John Willson OSBORN's mother was Alice WILSON, the daughter of John Willson & Rebecca THIXTON, his wife. She was born on Staten Island. She was educated in New York, where the family lived always a part of each year, her father being an officer in the British army, loyal to his king.
They, [John & Rebecca] left the United States & made a new home in Canada, living sometimes at Halifax, Quebec, Montreal, Canancoqua*, & finally settling down at Toronto, buying land & laying, as they supposed, a permanent foundation for a home.
Ref: HISTORY OF VIGO & PARKE COUNTIES Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley, by H.W. Beckwith - 1880, Terre Haute - pp. 169-175.
Note1: Original native place name for Kingston, Ontario. Fort Frontenac also named: Canacoqua or Kateracoui. Cataraqui is the French pronunciation.

. 1773 March 4, Piscataway, New Jersey, a William Thickstun was a witnesses to Rebecca Thixton's father-in-law, John Willson, senior.
Signatures known by Rebekah Willson:
. 1789 Oct 2 - Witnesses: New Brunswick land deed at Beobars Point, Miramichi, NB, Canada, granted by Jonathan Odell.

. 1792 Jun 26 - Likewise Rebekah Willson wife of the said John Willson relinquished her right of dower, 26 Jun 1793. Entered & registered at NewCastle, 29 Jun 1793, Book 2, p 103-6, John Willson, Register.

. 1793 Jun 21 - Indenture #69, between John Willson, Esq. & Rebakah his wife, & Geor. Roy £11 11 shillings, a lot on the point called Boars point, parish of New Castle, bounded by an alder bush marked standing on the north shore, SW Branch of Miramichi R., west of lot sold to Wm. Davidson. Signed & sealed, John & Rebeka Willson.
Registered John Willson, 2 July 1793.

. 1797 - January 18 - A weekly mail is established between Canada & the United States.
. 1797 - January 18 - "A mail for the upper counties, comprehending Niagara & Detroit, will be closed, at this office on Monday, 30th instant, at 4 o'clock in the evening, to be forwarded, from Montreal, by the annual winter express, on Thursday, 2nd February next."
Ref: Quebec Gazette, official government newspaper, Quebec, Canada.

. Obituary:
On Wednesday the 6th instant, at two in the morning, departed this life, much lamented, Rebecca Wilson, wife of John Wilson, Esq., of Yonge street, in the 63 year of her age. The following day her remains were followed by a numerous train of mourners, & friends to the place of interment, where a suitable oration was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Stuart on the solemn occasion.
Ref: THE ORACLE, York. Published Saturday, June 16, 1804, No. 8, Total # 684 (subscribers.)

Rebecca & John Willson were living with their son Wm. Ladner, at the time of Rebecca's death.

. BURIAL CAIRN
Willson - East face: John Willson Esq., aged 90 years & 11 days died July 8th 1829. Moved 1940 from East Gwillimbury. In mind Rebecca Willson wife of John Willson Esq. departed June 6th 1804, aged 61 years. Moved in 1940 from Lot 26 in Markham, which was a Loyalist grant to her son W. L. Willson. [Wm. Ladner Willson.]

West face: John Willson, U.E.L. born in Middlesex Cy, New Jersey, 1739. died in York Cy, Upper Canada, 1829. Also his wife. Rebecca Thixton, born in New Jersey, 1743 died in Markham Tp., Yonge St 1804.
John Willson brought his family to St. John, N.B. in the "May Fleet" in 1783, & came to Upper Canada in 1793. He held the lease of the "Kings Mill on St John's Creek" on the site of the present ruin known as the Old Mill on the Humber, from 1793 till 1799, when he came to Yonge St. with his son & a nephew, John Arnold. He was among the officers of the 1st York Regiment held prisoners at Fort York in April, 1813.

. RE-BURIALS: John had been buried in 1829 in Queensville Burial Grounds, with his second wife Katherine Kuhn. Rebecca had been buried in 1804 on her son's William's farm on 1 Jan.,1940, descendant Alice Willson of Toronto had them reburied together & had build also the stone cairn near south side fence, in Holy Trinity Cemetery. This incidentally would be adjacent to the property of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Willson Lawrence, which is the last lot in the Toronto. (This stone cairn is near south side fence, in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Richmond Hill on Yonge St., behind Baptist Church Holy Trinity Church which since has been moved when Yonge Street was widened from two lanes.)
Ref: North York Ref: Library, North York Enterprise, Newspaper Collection, R E. Wm. C H Dowson & Alice Willson. - PJ Ahlberg, 2010.

. 1940 Oct 10, North York: Erects Memorial Cairn of Boulders
Mr. W C H Dick Doson of 68 Parkview Ave., Willowdale has just completed the erection of a memorial cairn of field boulders in Thornhill Anglican Cemetery. This is to the memory of Capt. John Willson, Esq., & his wife Rebecca Thixton. ... His wife predeceased him in 1804. She was buried in what is now the lawn of Mr. Hugh Wilson (no relation) on the north side of Steeles Ave. near Bayview.
Her gravestone the oldest in the area is believed to have been carved & erected by her husband himself. It is a piece of unhewn river slate such as is found in the Humber river area. The lettering, crudely carved reads, "In Mind, Rebecca Willson, wife of John Willson, Esq. who died June the 6, 1804. " The two old head stones are set together in the east side of the cairn facing the rising sun, wind & storms. The cairn boulders are not hammer dressed but remain as they came from the field.
The cairn contains, history of Thornhill Anglican Church; other records, coins & stamps inc. a letter, sealed in a glass container.
The work was done for Miss Alice Willson of Toronto, who is a retired teacher of languages; & a direct descendent of those to whom the memorial is erected. She is also a descendent of Mr. Jacob Cummer founder of Willowdale.
Ref: North York Enterprise Newspaper.

Note: New Jersey Will mentions Arnold relations & Yonge St. neighbours Langstaff:
1797 Sept 15 Arnold, John, of Piscataway, Middlesex Co. Administrators James Arnold, David Thorn. Fellow bondsmen Henry Fourat & Joseph Thicksun all of said County.
Inventory £266 made by John Langstaff, senior & Junior.

St. James Episcopal Church, 2136 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, Piscataway, NJ. ' Founded 1666. Organized in 1704, this is the second church on the site. It was erected in 1837 in the new Greek Revival style, Although the cemetery does not appear well tended, the church has been kept us exceptionally well.' Edison was formerly called Raritan Township. Revolutionary War skirmishes took place in Bonhamtown, Piscataway on Woodbridge Avenue. St. James Episcopal Church building served as a barracks hospital for wounded British soldiers during the war. Piscatawaytown Burial Ground is also referred to as the White Church Cemetery.

For Research:
1. Thikston, Wm. & Ruth, daughter Patience, born Dec. 20, 1714.
Ref: Piscataway Town Hall, Register of Births, Vol. 2, 3rd series.
2. Rebecca Thicksun, born 18 May 1798, Bonhamtown, Middlesex, NJ d/o Lewis Wm. Thickstun & Mary Molly Compton. Is this a brother or some relation? & she married Chamberlain.
3. Rebecca Thickstun, b 1751 Piscataway, Middlesex NJ, d 23 Sep 1819 Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ. Relationship?
4. NJ Calendar of Wills: 1711-12 Feb. 12. Blackford, Samuel, of Piscataway, Witnesses: William Thick Stone, Wm. Lang, Ad. Hude. Proved April 29,1712.
5. WILL of Azariah Dunham of NB, Middlesex Co., NJ, 1789 Dec 23, to Daughter Jane, wife of Joseph Thixton of Piscataway, 30 Acres. - - -

Birth:
Rebekah Ref: Signatures dated 1793.6.27 Thickston, Thicksun, Thitston.

Died:
on property of son Wm. L Willson.

Buried:
Lot 26, Con 1 Yonge East Side, Wm L Willson property.

Notes:

Married:
St. James Church

Notes:

. 1701 Dec 19, born, John, son of John & Hannah Wilson.
Ref: Piscataway Town Hall, Register of Births, Vol. 2, 3rd series.

. John Willson, the weaver, left his farm in Piscataway & moved in about 1746 to Sussex County, NJ.

* 1759 Apr 7 - "This indenture made the 7th day of April, in the 32 year of the reign of King George the Second, Anno Domino, 1759 between John Wilson, of Wantage Precinct, in the county of Sussex, of the first part & Samuel, son of the said John Wilson, of the town & county aforesaid of the other part; witnesseth that the said John Wilson in consideration of the sum of £50 proclamation money in hand paid by the said Samuel Wilson, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath bargained, granted, sold, rebased, engeossed? & confirmed & by these presents doth sell.... all that 105 acres of land, strict measure, situated on the west side of the head of the drowned lands, beginning at a white oak tree standing south 6 degrees east 8 chains, from the head of a large spring by said Willson's house, then ....to the place of beginning; to which said Wilson hath right, by virtue of a deed to him from William Alexander, Earl of Sterling, (referring here to his deed first above mentioned).
In witness whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands & seals the day & year first above written.
Sealed & delivered in the presence of John Havens, Richard Gardner,
John Wilson."
Ref: NJ Secretary Office, Perth Amboy, Book K2, P401.

* 1759 Dec 17 - Evi. A. Wilson at Deckertown, N.J., Evi, also has another deed, whereby the said Samuel Wilson, purchased of William Alexander, Earl of Sterling, Peter VanBrough Livingston & other, December 17, 1759, "for & in consideration of £ 38.16s.4d," two tracts of land adjoining the first above named 100 acre farm situate "on the North branch of Beaver Run, called Hubb's cabin or run, & one boundary of which was where Haven's road crosses said run' containing 40 & 90/100 acres & 13 & 44/100 acres respectively. We judge from this that the witness to the John & Samuel deed.
Note: John Havens, was at that time a neighbor & near or at where Asa Havens now lives, as old traditions have kept the remembrance of the old road alive. John Gavens was perhaps the pioneer settler of that family in Wantage.

. 1751 June 14, John Willson received 100 Acres of unappropriated 'drowned lands' from William Alexander, Earl of Sterling, Scotland from the East Jersey Proprietors.
[About 1760 this land was transfer by deed this land to son, Samuel Willson.]
Ref: Liber A.B 3, p 218, Public records of the Proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey in the Surveyor General's office at Perth Amboy in Book S.M. 4, page 53."

. Then John & wife Sarah returned about 1760 to Piscataway with John Junior (i.e. b. 1739, later to be referred to as Senior), with is wife Rebekah Thickston from Piscataway & their son John Willson Sr. lived on the Piscataway farm until he died in 1775.

John Willson Sr. purchased small amounts of land, forming one farm from:
. 1728 John Willson, weaver, purchased 32 Acres from Stephen Arnold.
. 1734, Samuel Leonard, 1743, Chas. Wilson, 1764 & 1766, Robt Martin. 1751 Perth Amboy drowned lands & deeded to son Samuel Willson.

* From the testimony of his son, John Willson junior (later called John Willson, I. Senior, UE., born 1739-1829.)
United Empire Loyalist, Part 2, New Claim:
John Wilson, late of Jersey, Claimant appears & being sworn saith he came to this N.B. Province in the May Fleet. ….Was possessed of one estate in Piscataway, came by this father's will, Produces Probate whereby it appears that his father, John Wilson gives Claimt., after few Legacies, all the remainder of his estate real & personal, to him. Will dated 4 March, 1773. Claimant had 2 elder brothers, who were both provided for in his father's lifetime. He died in April 1775. Claimant was in possession with his father, & continued in possession after his father's death till he came.
... The Estate consisted of about 100 Acres purchased by his father at different times. Produces deeds. These lands were in his father's possession, after he had portioned out claimant's two brothers'. There was a large orchard, an dwelling house & barn. Vals. It at £1,000 York Cury.
They were confiscated & sold Monday, 22 March, 1779. It has gone thro several hands; was in possession of Simeon Randal, & one Little, who claimt. heard last left a stock on his farm, 4 horses, 2 cows, 4 young cattle, farming utensils, some furniture. Enough of the farm was clear. This farm was well improved, buildings good. Vals. xx per acre. He heard it was confiscated & sold. A Rebel Commissary was the first purchaser. He had good team & was in good circumstances.

There were many Willson relatives in County Antrim, the descendants of William of Orange's soldiers from Northumberland England/ lowland Scotland.

. 1700 Dec. 22. Confirmation to William LAWRENCE of Middletown, holding 1-20 of 1-24 share of the Province, in full for his second dividend, of:
1. 10 acres, W. of Wakake Creek & Richard HARTSHORNE, N. said HARTSHORN, E. J. ROCKMAN Junior & J. WILSON Junior, S. J. WILSON Senior;
2. 15 a. of meadow on the Eastside of said creek, from said HARTSHORN's to the mouth of the creek, including 2 sedge banks on the West side;
3. 17 a. of upland on the West side of & along said creek, adjoining Zebulon CLAYTON;
4. 36 a. on Manasquam R., below Stony Point, adjoining R. Hartshorn;
5. 40 a. there, between John Lawrence, the Rock Pond & the sea;
6. 47 a. being all the sedge islands in Manasquam R., from Joseph Lawrence's upper corner to the sea; 7, 70 a. on the South side of said river below Hartshorns Island to the sea; 815 a. on a branch of Leonard's Sawmill brook, called Mirry Bog Brook; in all 250 acres.
Note1: Verify this John Willson.
Ref: NJ Colonial Documents.

. 1763 - Wilson, James, Monmouth married Catherine Stillwell of Monmouth on 1 Jun 1765.
Note2: Grandson is Stillwell Willson, born NJ. - PJA.

. 1773 Mar 4, WILL of JOHN WILLSON of Piscataway, Middlesex Co.,
Advanced in age. Son Samuel 20 shillings, Wife, Sarah, furniture,
Son John rest of personal & real estate.
Executor: Son John Willson.
Witnesses: William Thickstun*, Sarah Ross, John Ross.
Proved: 1774 Jun 14.
Inventory £174.2.0, made by Thomas Munday* & John Arnold*.

* Note3: * Thomas Munday is the husband of dau. Sarah Willson. Thomas Mundy Sr. was dead 8.10.1773, I suppose he could have done the inventory between Mar. 4 1773 and the time he died, before the Will was proven OR possibly his son Thomas Munday, Jr. married 3 years previous in 1770 to Sarah Willson.
Ref: Nick Mundy Sanborn Sr., 2016.)
. Wm. Thickstun is related to daughter-in-law Rebekek Thickston (John Willson.1 ( & John Arnold are Willson-in-laws.)
Ref: NJ Lib L, p.147, volume XXXIV, Abstracts of Wills 171-1770.

. (The date of landing of the Willsons has not yet been established. This John Willson was born 1701 in Piscataway, New Jersey: - PJA.)

Recorded for further research:
. 1725 Aug. 26. Cock, Walter, of Burlington Township, brickmaker; … 1727 April I. Account of the estate by the executor, Robert Jones, who has paid debts due to John Willson.
. 1688 Sept. 2. WILL of Tartt, Edward, of Monmouth Co.; Divides real & personal estate between Margery Joebes, John Rutman, junior, Thomas Renshall, Sara Rutman, John Willson junior, sister Elizabeth & her daughters.
James Grover & John Willson junior.
Witnesses: John Throckmorton & John Stout. Proved September 25, 1688.
Ref: N.J. Archives, XXL, p. 131

. 1700 Oct. 15. WILL of Tatham, Elizabeth, of Burlington, widow.

. 1724 July 14. WILL of Tan Hook, Lawrence, of Monmouth Co., Esq're …bonds & mortgages due by John Lawrence, John … John Willson & others.

. Witness: WILL Proved. 1761 May 26, John Willson, son, Henry salt meadow in Piscataway,
Grandsons, John & Wm. Hopkins,
Dau. Sarah Hopkins, deceased, Son Henry.
Witnesses: David Conger, John Wilson, Jr., John Arnold, NJ
Archives, first Series, Vol. XXXIII, p. 241
Ref: Bonham & related family lines.

. Further research, (Verify which John Willson): Along with Capt. Wm. Lawrence, a John Wilson was one of the original purchases of land from the Indians, 1667. He was awarded town lot # 3 Middleton & others.
Ref: Salter’s History of Monmouth & Ocean Counties New Jersey. - - -

Birth:
Older spellings: Piscataqua Town. Wilfon. Also Styled himself as 'junior', relative to your perspective.

John married Sarah LADNER in 1738. Sarah was born in 1705 in New Jersey; died in 1773 in New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Verify this Sarah Ladner is the daughter Elizabeth Jouet & Absolom Ladner of Elizabethtown, NJ.

Recorder for further research:
. There were Ladner's living in Piscataway, NJ: Anna Ladner, born 1728 married 1748 in Baptist Church of Piscataway to Peter Martin of Piscataway, NJ.

. Mary Ladner, born 1689, Essex Co., NJ - 1733.1.5, Elizabeth, NJ, d/o Elizabeth Jouet & Absalom Ladner.
Mary Ladner married 1709 NJ to Anthony Little, 1685-1733. Six Little children.
. Peter Ladner, b 1693 Elizabethtown, NJ.
. Daniel Ladner, b 1695, Elizabethtown, NJ.
. Sarah Ladner, 1705- c1773 NJ.

. WILL of Robert Ladner, of Elizabeth Town, Essex Co., saddler;
Wife Sarah sole heiress & executrix of real & personal estate.
Witnesses: Benjamin Trotter, Jacob Mitchell, Samuel Whitehead.
Proved August 25, 1718. Lib. A, p. 109.
Robert's WILL is dated 29 Jun 1718.
Ref: NJ Archives Vol 23, P 278.

* Additionally, in this WILL, a grandson of John & Sarah is named William Ladner. {of which 1718 would be too early for William Ladner Willson of Vaughan Twp., Ontario.
Further research to identify relationship.

. Also recorded for further research, as demonstrated, Ladner family in NJ:
. April 1779 Tax List. New Brunswick, North Ward, Middlesex Co., NJ:
Ladner, Andrew L, householder.

. COMPARE WITH: 1793 New Jersey Militia Census Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ: Robt. Ladner, aged 22, that is born 1771. - - -

Birth:


Died:
verify.

Notes:

Ulster & Orange Counties, NJ Marriages:
. 1737 Oct 25, Samuel Willson, Piscataway X Mary Martin, Piscataway, NJ.
. 1743 May 11, Mary Martin, Piscataway X John Thickston, Piscataway, NJ.
Ref: History of the First Baptist Church of Wantage, Sussex, New Jersey.

. History of Long Island: Hempstead. In 1647 there were 57 freeholders in the [Hempstead] township, & a formal division of the land was made anions'.
X-Ref: Compare Samuel's brother John Willson, Jr. married Rebecca Thickston/Thixton. -PJA.
. 1746 Nov 18, WILL of Jeremiah Bloomfield, 1693-1746. Witness: John Thickston.

They were as follows: Richard Gildersleeve, William Lawrence, William Thickstone (Thickstone), Thomas Willet, John Lawrence, Thomas. (etc.)
In 1673 the list had passed the hundred mark, as may be seen from the enumeration preserved in A'anderkemp's Translation of Dutch Records, XXII.

. 1747 May 26, WILL of John Thickston of Middlesex Co., NJ, blacksmith.
Mary Thickston, widow, renounces her right of administration & desires that William Clawson be appointed.
Witnesses: Samuel Martin, Isaac Manning.,
Ref: NJ Wills, Lib 3, page 476.

XRef: 1749 May 26. Bond of William Clawson of Essex Co. & Isaac Manning of Middlesex Co., yeoman, principal creditors, as administrators.
John Deare of Perth Amboy, Fellow bondsman. - - -

Birth:
(Original English name was Theakston).

Died:
Verify this John Thickston.

Jonathan married Mary Coats MARTIN on 11 May 1733 in Monmouth Co., New Jersey. Mary (daughter of Benjamin MARTIN, .Jr. and Philoreta SLATER) was born on 10 Mar 1710 in Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died in 1755 in Woodbridge, Piscataway Twp., Middlesex Co., NJ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary is the daughter of Susannah Alger & Joseph Josiah Martin, both of Piscatawy, NJ.

. 1747 May 26, WILL of John Thickston of Middlesex Co., blacksmith.
Mary Thickston, widow, renounces her right of administration & desires that William Clawson be appointed.
Witnesses: Samuel Martin, Isaac Manbing.

. 1747 May 26. Bond, Wm. Clawson of Essex Co. & Isaac Manning of Middlesex Co., yeomen, principal creditors, as administrators. Jean Dear of Perth Amboy, Fellow Bondsman.
Ref: NJ State Archives, Lib E, p46

. 1750 July 7, WILL of Josep Martin, of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., yeoman
wife Elisabeth, Children: William, Merrit, Valentine, Benjamin, John, Joseph, Katherine Codington, Sarah Connet, Rebecca Morgan, Sussanah Kelley, Mary Coats. Personal property.
Proven 1757 Jun 7.
Ref: NJ Wills, Lib. F. P429.

Martin Family Land:
. 1755 Jul 1 - WILL of Benjamin Martin, of Piscataway, Middlesex Co.,
Wife Philerato,
Sons: Benjamin, Nathanael, Peter.
Daughter Zerviah, wife of Jeremiah Blackford,
Grandchildren: Athanasius, James, Luther;
Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Ruben - sons of Benj;
Mary, Isiah & Benj - children of Nehmiah & Elizabeth Bonham;
Zerviah, d/ of Zedekiah & Anna Bonham.
Leaves Land bough of father Ben. Martin, home farm on the Mill Brook, Woodbridge, bought in part of John Martin & John Bloomfield; land bought of brother Jonathan Martin; 16 A. in Essex Co. bough to Samuel drake & Isaac Chandler; a lot at vineyard not of Wm. Edinfield?.
Executors: son Benjamin, son-in-law, John Blackford, & cousin James Martin.
. 1757 May 10, Inventory £190.16.3, incl his purse, £37.8.8. Large Bible, a Bible in another gone, other books.
. 1757 May 3 Proved.
Ref: NJ Wills, Lib F, p422.

Her Grandfather's WILL:
. 1755 Apr 2, WILL OF Peter Martin, Piscataway, Wife Sarah, Children Robt., Peter, Zirviah Runyon, Priscilla, Mary Faurat & Sarah Martin. Grandsons: Thos. (s/o of late eldson son Mulford Martain), Mulford & Sam. Martain, Lot of 39 Acres in Woodbridge, adjoining Gershom Martain, salt meadow; home farm, adjoining John Willson*; salt meadow in Martain's Neck, & same at the moth of the Great Pond.
Ref: NJ Wills, Lib 10, p293.

Note* - Adjoining John Willson's land:
This is the land of the father of John Willson, Sen. (1739-1829);
- So we see here that his future spouse to be, Rebecca Thickson's grandparents,
lived on the land adjoining in Piscataway, NJ. - PJA.
Is this the same home farm as on Mill Brook, Woodbridge?

Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. 2019. - - -

Birth:


Died:
Verify DOD.